Celtics Notes: Porzingis, Kornet, Tatum, Udoka, Brown

Celtics Large man Kristaps Porzingis He overcame early foul hassle in his return to the court docket Friday night time in Houston, he writes Soichi Terada from MassLive. Porzingis, who missed the earlier 4 video games as a result of a sprained left ankle, was in a position to play 28 minutes, scoring 11 factors, 5 rebounds and two assists.

“I felt effective” He mentioned after that. He added: “I nonetheless have not reached my greatest stage of the season but, so it is a bit tough. However I am joyful that I am wholesome and I am working my approach in direction of feeling higher each sport.

The Celtics have been cautious with Porzingis, who missed the primary month of the season whereas recovering from foot surgical procedure. He has featured in simply 12 of the staff’s 35 matches to this point, and has spoken of the frustration of attempting to determine rhythm with such an erratic type of play. coach Joe Mazzola The teaching workers is concentrated on sustaining his well being earlier than the beginning of the playoffs in April.

He added: “It’s tough for him as a result of he’s going by means of a transitional stage earlier than becoming a member of.” Mazzola mentioned. “However I assumed his protection within the second half was super. I assumed we went to some issues that bought him somewhat bit into some issues and bought him snug. I assumed his first sport again, I assumed he was nice. He actually helped us, particularly defensively, within the half the second.

There’s extra in regards to the Celtics:

• After the missile heart Alperin Singun Scoring 14 factors within the first half, Mazzola changed into a giant double-double formation to close him down, per Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. Luke Cornette The third quarter started alongside Porzingis with Nehemiah Quetta Rotating in 0ff bench. All that quantity clearly bothered Singun, who went scoreless within the second half whereas lacking all 4 of his photographs from the sector. “Makes it tough to play in a crowd.” Cornette mentioned. “After which I believe that size, with that back-up man, could make the penalties somewhat bit tougher. However I really feel particularly within the second half our physicality was nice and we’re simply attempting to maintain up with that and make issues tough.”
• The Celtics improved to 3-0 towards their former coach, Udoka madewho led them to the NBA Finals in 2022, notes Brian Robb of MassLive. Jayson Tatum He talked in regards to the expertise of taking part in with Udoka and the way the staff benefited from it. “I believe Amy has lots of toughness and health and he accepts challenges and assaults folks.” Tatum mentioned. “And that is what we did that 12 months, proper? We had a tough begin. However as our head coach, he by no means wavered and we got here out all season lengthy. We have been hungry. We bought to the finals and got here up brief. We beloved having him round us. He is an excellent individual and an excellent coach.”
• Jaylen BrownRupp, who missed the previous two video games as a result of a shoulder pressure, is the one participant listed on the harm report for Sunday’s sport towards Oklahoma Metropolis, he added. Separate story. It’s anticipated to be a game-time resolution, with Sam Hauser Proceed to switch him within the beginning lineup if he’s unavailable.