Kristaps Porzingis
Getty
Kristaps Porzingis of the Golden State Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors needed someone to step up. With a five-game losing streak to snap, a depleted roster, and another road game on a brutal trip, the pressure was on whoever had the legs to carry them. On Monday night in Washington, that person was Kristaps Porzingis. He delivered 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks in 26 minutes off the bench. It was his best night as a Warrior, and it ended a losing run that had threatened to derail Golden State’s entire play-in push.
After the game, Porzingis was asked about playing alongside Stephen Curry, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. His answer was immediate and unambiguous. “Oh man, this is the GOAT,” he said. “To play with somebody like that, it’s gonna be unbelievable. Obviously, from playing against him, I know what type of player he is and the gravity he brings. It just opens everything up for everybody else. So hopefully, he will be back with us soon.”
ClutchPoints
“How excited are you to play with Steph Curry in the near future?”
Kristaps Porzingis: “This is the GOAT… It’s gonna be unbelievable. Obviously, from playing against him, I know what type of player he is and the gravity he brings.”
(via @NBCSWarriors)
Warriors’ Porzingis Puts on a Show Against the Wizards
GettyKristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors.
The performance itself was remarkable for a player who has appeared in just 21 games this season after battling a mysterious illness. Porzingis shot 8-of-13 from the field, attempted a season-high 14 free throws, and scored 10 straight points late in the fourth quarter to close the game out. He and Curry have not yet shared the floor in Golden State, but if Monday was any indication of what Porzingis can bring when healthy, the pairing has real potential.
Steve Kerr was full of praise afterwards. “He’s gotten his legs underneath him,” Kerr said. “You could see it. He just scores so easily. Really closed the game tonight with his free throws. He’s quite a talent.” Kerr also could not resist noting the timing of the Wizards fixture, one of five stops on what he called the Porzingis reunion tour. “We’re playing every one of his former teams,” Kerr said. “The Knicks, Washington, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas. Players usually get up for playing against their old team and I think that’s the case with Kristaps.”
Warriors’ Porzingis Makes History in His Fifth Game for Golden State
The numbers from Porzingis’ first five games as a Warrior are quietly extraordinary. He is averaging 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks per contest while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. Monday’s outing made him just one of six players this season to record 30 or more points, three or more blocks, and attempt 14 free throws in a single game, joining Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Jalen Duren.
He also made Warriors history in the process. Among Golden State centers in their first five games with the franchise, only Wilt Chamberlain has scored more points. The bar does not get much higher than that.
De’Anthony Melton added 27 points, and Gui Santos contributed 18 points with a game-high plus-20 differential. The Warriors improved to 33-35, still ninth in the West, and next face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Final Word for Golden State
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Porzingis called Curry the GOAT before they have even played a single minute together. That says something. When Curry does return, the Warriors will have a frontcourt weapon capable of changing games in a way Golden State has not had in years.
Monday was one night. But it was the kind of night that makes you wonder what this team looks like when it is whole.