Kristaps Porzingis was all smiles after his debut game in his new home city, and after stints in New York and Dallas, the Latvian ‘unicorn’ may have finally found a home in the NBA.
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Porzingis helped the Wizards to a 133-123 victory over the Pacers in Washington, finishing with a team-high 25 points, five assists and two rebounds.
He led the Wizards in points, despite playing just 21 minutes, the fourth-most of the team’s five starters.
Porzingis had not played since late January, when he was still a member of the Dallas Mavericks, but shook off the rust for his first game with his new team.
“As soon as I got here I felt comfortable right away,” Porzingis said post-game. “People welcomed me with open arms, made me feel comfortable right away. I got into the work right away and I’m happy to finally be out there on the floor and getting the reward of all that work.
“I’m just excited to be a Wizard.”
“As soon as I got here, I felt comfortable right away.”
Kristaps Porzingis got into a rhythm early in his Wizards debut and talked with @cmillsnbcs after the game about how excited he is to be in D.C. (with a guest appearance from Bradley Beal). pic.twitter.com/L5MxrYyWuz
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) March 7, 2022
Porzingis, selected No. 4 overall in the 2015 draft by the Knicks, entered the league with high expectations, more so after he was described by Kevin Durant as a “unicorn.”
It was a nickname he didn’t like initially but has now come to embrace it.
Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t always been a fan of the nickname “Unicorn,” but now he embraces it and tries to play like one on the court. pic.twitter.com/r4dQGxHZ69
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) March 7, 2022
After earning a selection to the NBA All-Star Game as a Knick in January of 2018, Porzingis went down with a torn ACL on Feb. 6, 2018. It would be the last time he ever suited up for New York.
He was traded to Dallas in late January 2019.
It was believed that his friendship with Mavericks’ stars Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki would help him settle, but even as a Maverick, durability was an issue as he battled myriad injuries and was never able to form the chemistry with Doncic that the Mavs had hoped.
After three seasons, a deal was made at the trade deadline this year to send Porzingis to the Wizards. The 26-year-old signed a $158 million, five-year contract with the Mavericks before ever playing for them. The 7-foot-3 Latvian averaged 20 points and 8.8 rebounds in 134 games with Dallas.
Immediately upon hearing the news of the trade, Porzingis said he thought he would fall in love with the city of Washington.
Kristaps Porzingis on Washington D.C.
“I think I’m going to fall in love with the city honestly.”
Says he already knows some good restaurants and knows there are lots of sights
— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) February 12, 2022
The Wizards now have a big frontcourt presence consisting of Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma and Rui Hachimura – a luxury they haven’t enjoyed for some time – and have the ability to play different lineups, alternating between playing Porzingis closer to the basket or even out on the perimeter. Against the Pacers, Porzingis was 3-of-4 from long-range, displaying his versatility.
The Wizards are now 29-34 on the season and just two games back from the Atlanta Hawks in the final Play-In seed. Time may be running out with just 18 games left, but with a healthy and happy Porzingis, anything is possible.