Kristaps Porzingis believes the Celtics are primed for a run—are they? (original) (raw)

Of all the statistics being shared about the Celtics, one number stands out the most: Two.

Thirty-seven games into the season, just four shy of the halfway mark, the Celtics have had their full rotation available only twice. They’ve used 17 different starting lineups, and their preferred starting five—Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis—have played just seven games together, totaling 103 minutes. In those games, the Celtics have been outscored by 29 points, going 4-3 while being outscored by 11.3 points per 100 possessions.

“When you look at the rhythm and reps that we’ve gotten, we’re almost at the beginning of training camp with that starting five as to what the reps look like,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You can’t underestimate how that impacts each other. Not positively or negatively, it just does. It impacts matchups. It impacts coverages. It impacts rhythm. Hopefully, we have that for a long period of time so we can work through the habits and the things that are necessary. Just building the habits, the rhythm, and the trust of how to play off each other, how to play with each other, how to respect each other’s space.”

Although this starting five logged 623 minutes across 37 regular-season games last season, a period of re-acclimation is inevitable.

“It’s kind of like the start of the year,” said Jayson Tatum. “Hopefully, we can stay healthy and continue to build off that because we know what we’re capable of.”

Last season, among five-man lineups that played at least 600 minutes, the White-Holiday-Brown-Tatum-Porzingis group posted the second-highest net rating in the NBA (+11.0). Only Denver’s Murray-Caldwell-Pope-Porter Jr.-Gordon-Jokic (+13.6) had a better rating. They were one of just three units with 600+ minutes to post a net rating above 10.0, alongside Oklahoma City’s Gilgeous-Alexander-Giddey-Williams-Dort-Holmgren (+10.2).

In the postseason, albeit with a much smaller sample size, the Celtics’ preferred starting five registered a +17.3 net rating in seven games, totaling 82 minutes.

Kristaps Porzingis #8, Jaylen Brown #7, Jayson Tatum #0, and Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

At the heart of this season’s inconsistency is Kristaps Porzingis. The 7-foot-2 center missed the first 17 games of the season and has since been sidelined for six more since returning. The Celtics play a different style with Porzingis on the floor, and the team is still adjusting—not only to his presence but also to how opponents are guarding them this season.

“It’s been, in a way, more chaotic how they defend us,” Porzingis said. “A lot more swiping, a lot more physicality and different matchups and this, and just trying to throw us off, and do all kinds of stuff to try to mix it up against us. We’re a pretty experienced team, but we’re also adjusting because maybe the refereeing is changing a little bit, so now, okay, they’re allowing more of this, so we have to also take advantage of that. So we’re also just being on the go and adjusting. But talent, we have that. It’s just a matter of time of us clicking again and going on a nice run.”

Porzingis isn’t the only one who’s missed time. Jaylen Brown has dealt with hip and shoulder injuries, Jrue Holiday has battled knee and shoulder issues, 38-year-old Al Horford has had rest days, and Sam Hauser has been managing a back injury. As a result, their efficiency has dipped.

The group is still finding its rhythm. But as the Celtics return from a four-game road trip, they’re not only regaining their defensive form after a shaky December but also getting healthier. Friday night’s game against the Kings will be the first time this season that the Celtics have their full top-eight rotation players (White, Holiday, Brown, Tatum, Porzingis, Horford, Pritchard, Hauser) available at home. It’s their 20th game at TD Garden.

The injury clouds are starting to clear. Porzingis is coming off his best game of the season, dropping 25 points (9-18 FG), 11 rebounds, three assists, and a block in Denver. Holiday has been steady since his return, averaging 12.0 points on 47.7% shooting (42.9% from three), 5.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals over his last five games. Hauser is rediscovering his shooting touch, connecting on 45.7% from deep over the last six games, while Brown is showing flashes of his physical dominance as he works his way back from his shoulder injury.

Suddenly, a team that ripped off a seven-game win streak in November before hitting a December slump looks primed for another run, especially after a 3-1 road trip to kick off the new year.

“I think we’re getting there. I think we’re going to turn the corner and go on a nice run. I really believe so,” Porzingis said. “It’s been like two games with the full roster this season, so obviously it’s tough. And now, me coming back and getting back in shape, it’s not easy for guys. But we’ll get some consistency now, I believe.”

The Celtics are still a work in progress, but as they approach full strength, things could come together quickly, particularly with a three-game stretch against sub-.500 opponents ahead.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Alex Slitz/Getty Images