Kristaps Porziņģis played his first game for the Golden State Warriors on Friday, following a recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that had sidelined him since January 8. In this game, the Warriors faced off against the Boston Celtics, the team he recently won the NBA championship with in 2024. Despite Porziņģis' efforts off the bench, scoring 12 points, the Warriors lost 110 to 121.

Porziņģis' performance included two rebounds and one blocked shot over 17 minutes of play, but it was not enough to secure a win for the Warriors. The Celtics showcased strong performances, with Payton Pritchard scoring 26 points and Jalen Brown achieving a triple-double, scoring 23 points along with 15 rebounds and 13 assists. The Celtics currently hold a strong position in the Eastern Conference, ranking second with 36 wins and 19 losses.

The game marked a significant moment for Porziņģis as he aims to solidify his place with the Warriors after a challenging period of injury recovery. His debut comes on the heels of a trade from the Atlanta Hawks, where he missed 12 consecutive games, highlighting the struggles he faced during this transitional phase in his career. The Warriors, sitting at eighth place in the conference, will look to improve their record as they integrate Porziņģis into their lineup more effectively.