Porzingis solid in Golden State debut, but Curry-less Warriors rolled by Boston

ASFN Admin

Administrator
Administrator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 8, 2002
Posts
1,152,173
Reaction score
59
You must be registered for see images attach

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis, top, reaches for the ball over Boston Celtics guard Hugo González (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu/Associated Press)


Kristaps Porzingis couldn't save the Golden State Warriors down Stephen Curry in his team debut Thursday night against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center.

With runner's knee sideline Curry a sixth straight game – with at least four more to come – the Warriors were overmatched in a 121-110 loss during which they trailed by 34. Porzingis debuted with 12 points (5-of-9 shooting, 2-of-5 3-point shooting) in 17 minutes, losing his first 4:13 atop the second quarter 17-2 after Golden State trailed 36-32.

De'Anthony Melton had 18 points and Will Richard and Gui Santos 17 points apiece for the Warriors, who struggled to create advantages before unleashing their fourth-quarter full-court pressure. They were also outrebounded 54-40 and eviscerated by Boston's drive-and-kick offense – with Jayson Tatum out – as star wing Jaylen Brown totaled 23 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists.

Brown secured his triple double with 2:53 to play in the third quarter, punishing the Warriors (29-27) with picturesque drives he finished with equal parts force and finesse.

Porzingis started the second quarter with warm applause amid his introduction, missing a 29-footer and committing a turnover during his opening shift. Defensively, he was pulled across the perimeter by Boston's second-rated offense: a blend of slashing, kicking, cutting that yielded 17-of-40 3-point shooting.

His second shift to close the half included a dunk, a 3-pointer and a 74-51 deficit.

The 7-foot-2 Porzingis was cheered again in the third quarter when 6-1 Payton Pritchard forced a jumpball with him and he wouldn't relinquish the basketball. He added two fourth-quarter mid-range jumpers and another triple. But smatterings of spectators had already departed and missed Golden State's attempt at a comeback by way of effective full-court pressure and doubles.

Pritchard led Boston (36-19) with 26 points.

The Warriors host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday after falling to 6-11 without Curry.

Celtics 121, Warriors 110

FGFTReb
BOSTONMinM-AM-AO-TAPFPTS
Brown37:0710-183-30-1513323
Hauser27:526-100-01-35116
Queta18:094-61-21-6109
Scheierman24:113-90-02-5117
White39:024-132-23-58010
Pritchard32:3910-180-00-67026
Vucevic27:404-90-03-5019
Gonzalez12:123-50-01-4007
Harper Jr.11:392-40-01-2106
Walsh7:182-20-00-2005
Garza2:111-10-01-1003
Totals240:0049-956-713-54366121

Percentages: FG .516, FT .857.

3-Point Goals: 17-40, .425 (Pritchard 6-11, Hauser 4-5, Harper Jr. 2-4, Garza 1-1, Walsh 1-1, Vucevic 1-2, Gonzalez 1-3, Scheierman 1-5, Brown 0-3, White 0-5).

Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 6 (White 4, Harper Jr., Vucevic).

Turnovers: 13 (Pritchard 4, White 3, Brown 2, Scheierman 2, Walsh 2).

Steals: 7 (Queta 2, Gonzalez, Pritchard, Scheierman, Vucevic, White).

Technical Fouls: None.

FGFTReb
GOLDEN STATEMinM-AM-AO-TAPFPTS
Moody22:434-90-21-32111
Santos31:586-140-03-62417
Green18:330-70-00-2300
Melton25:107-132-40-31218
Spencer26:422-70-01-2705
Horford27:322-100-01-8415
Podziemski27:155-80-01-76011
Richard24:246-112-22-52317
Payton II18:286-80-02-32014
Porzingis17:155-90-00-11012
Totals240:0043-964-811-403011110

Percentages: FG .448, FT .500.

3-Point Goals: 20-55, .364 (Santos 5-9, Moody 3-7, Richard 3-7, Payton II 2-4, Porzingis 2-5, Melton 2-6, Podziemski 1-3, Spencer 1-3, Horford 1-6, Green 0-5).

Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: 1.

Blocked Shots: 4 (Horford, Podziemski, Porzingis, Richard).

Turnovers: 8 (Horford 2, Melton 2, Porzingis 2, Green, Moody).

Steals: 8 (Santos 2, Spencer 2, Melton, Payton II, Podziemski, Richard).

Technical Fouls: None.

Boston36382819-121
Golden State32192237-110

A_18,064 (18,064).

This article originally published at Porzingis solid in Golden State debut, but Curry-less Warriors rolled by Boston.

Continue reading...
 
Top