Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Clippers Post-Game Stats: Kristaps Porzingis’ Return From Injury Cruises Celtics To Sixth Straight Win

Kristaps Porzingis and Amir Coffey (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics continued their dominant run, following up their stellar victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday with a 126-94 win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night at TD Garden. This victory was especially significant for Kristaps Porzingis, as it marked his highly anticipated return to the court after a long injury absence.

The win extended the Celtics’ streak to six straight, pushing their record to 15-3 and securing the second spot in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Clippers fell to 11-8, remaining in sixth place in the Western Conference.

Kristaps Porzingis Shines in Return as Celtics Cruise to Victory

After a five-month recovery from ankle surgery, Kristaps Porzingis made an impactful return to the court in the Boston Celtics’ dominant victory. Porzingis, who hadn’t played since Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals due to a leg injury, was back in the starting lineup after missing the first 17 games of the season.

Upon his return, Porzingis wasted no time showing his value. He opened the game by scoring the Celtics’ first basket and quickly drained four 3-pointers within the first few minutes. In his 23 minutes of play, the big man finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal, proving he was back to his best form.

Payton Pritchard and Jayson Tatum also played key roles in the win. Pritchard, coming off the bench, scored 20 points with 6-10 shooting from beyond the arc, along with two rebounds and four assists. Tatum added 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists to help lead the Celtics to their sixth straight win.

Derrick White contributed 19 points, while Jaylen Brown added 17 points in 31 minutes of action. Neemius Queta also made an impact, recording 12 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

For the Clippers, Ivica Zubac led the team with a double-double performance of 23 points and 10 rebounds. James Harden chipped in 19 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 11 points. Jordan Miller and Terrance Mann both contributed 10 points each in the loss.

The Celtics will next face the Chicago Bulls on Friday. The Clippers will look to bounce back against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.