Kristaps Porzingis the second player in 50 years with NBA Finals feat

The Celtics were up 12-11 over the Mavericks in the first quarter when Kristaps Porzingis checked into Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. What followed was an instant flurry from the Latvian — 11 points, three rebounds and two blocks — as the C’s closed out the quarter on a 25-9 run. They would never relinquish the lead again.Best porn XXX. In his first game back from a calf strain, Porzingis demonstrated why so many analysts labeled him as the ultimate wild card entering the 2024 NBA Finals, the player who could make Boston nearly unbeatable. The sharpshooting big finished the game with 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks in just 21 minutes, becoming only the second player in the last 50 years to log such a stat line in an NBA Finals game.  Kristaps Porzingis is now just the second player in the last 50 years to score 20+ PTS in 21 minutes or fewer in the NBA Finals…HAVE A NIGHT KP pic.twitter.com/ySOUaY5WE7 The three other players to score 20 or more points in 21 minutes of an NBA Finals game were all Celtics as well — Bill Sharman (1959), Larry Siegfried (1966) and Leon Powe (2008). Porzingis also became the ninth NBA finals debutant since 1976-77 to score over 18+ points in the first half.  WHAT A RETURN FOR KRISTAPS PORZINGIS 18 PTS7-9 FGM2 3PM2 BLKHe’s the 9th player since 1976-77 to put up 18+ points in the first half of their NBA Finals debut pic.twitter.com/tbOjKIo2c6 It remains to be seen if Joe Mazzulla continues to bring Porzingis off the bench for the remainder of the series. Before the game, the Celtics coach confirmed that Porzingis was not under a minutes restriction, noting that the plan was to let his big man get his legs under him.  There’s little doubt the strategy worked in Game 1 as the Mavs struggled to adjust to Porzingis, who caught them off guard by launching threes from 30 feet, not to mention sprinting down the court and swatting shots.  After Thursday’s Game 1 win, Derrick White explained why Porzingis changes the entire complexion of the Celtics on both ends of the floor.  “He’s a matchup nightmare,” White said of his teammate. “Even when you play good defense, he doesn’t really see you. It’s been unreal just watching him all year. Then defensively, he uses his size well, just impacts the games in so many different ways. He changes us, and he makes us a better team.” More must-reads: Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!