Kristaps Porzingis offers a feline analogy regarding the Celtics’ killer instinct as reigning champs
“We were a lion last season, and some games this year, we’ve looked like a house cat.”
The Celtics played like a lion when it mattered most during Saturday’s 2024 NBA Finals rematch with the Mavericks.
But according to Kristaps Porzingis, Boston has played more like a ‘house cat’ at times this season compared to last.
After the Celtics’ 122-107 victory, the star center gave a unique answer when asked about his team’s killer instinct as the defending champs.
“We were a lion last season, and some games this year, we’ve looked like a house cat,” he said. “We want to have that spirit as a team this year. And it’s tough, obviously, we can’t trick ourselves and make it like it’s playoffs every game. It’s tough. Just human nature.”
Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Lakers on Thursday, the Celtics couldn’t afford to compete like that hypothetical domesticated feline. Instead, they finished their West Coast road trip on a high note (3-1).
Porzingis said he feels like Boston responded well coming off its defeat to Los Angeles.
“Just have to keep making steps forward as a team, and I think it’s happening,” he said. “I think it’s happening. So, just patience and not overreacting to every little bump on the road.”
Head coach Joe Mazzulla also commented on the Celtics’ important win in Dallas. He echoed similar sentiments to Porzingis, noting his team’s ability to brush off their previous performance.
“I just liked the mental resilience that we continue to build through good and bad,” Mazzulla said. “… We’re taking in everything that we need to learn, and the guys are sticking together.”
Like Porzingis said, Boston played with “spirit” on Saturday, which helped them improve to 13-1 coming off a loss this season. Porzingis himself scored 18 points, notched five assists, and grabbed four rebounds against his former team.
He’s also shooting 49.2 percent from the field this month, and 46 percent from three-point range. Both the Celtics and Porzingis himself have to be happy with his production of late, plus his ability to stay healthy as the All-Star break creeps up.
Porzingis, who’s missed time due to an ankle injury this season, gave a specific answer when asked how he’s currently doing health-wise.
“I would say physically, not perfect yet. But for sure, like, 92.7 (percent),” he said. “… As the season go, I believe I will get even better. But definitely having a nice stretch now of good basketball.”
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