Kristaps Porzingis' return sparks Celtics in NBA Finals opener

The Boston star hadn't played since April 29 due before last night's showdown with Dallas.

Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals. Pic: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Kristaps Porzingis wasn't going to let a 37-day layoff slow him down during the biggest game of his NBA career.

Playing in the NBA Finals for the first time, the Celtics big man returned from a 10-game absence to record 20 points off the bench and Boston snuffed a second-half rally to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 on Thursday night in Game 1.