Kristaps Porzingis had mixed emotions after his Boston Celtics saw their season come to an end inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y.
Porzingis has been dealing with a mysterious illness that sapped his effectiveness throughout the Celtics-Knicks second-round series. On Friday, the Latvian came off the bench and played just 11 minutes in Boston’s 119-81 loss in Game 6.
With New York coasting to an easy series-clinching win, the rabid Knicks fan base chanted in support of its players all game long. It’s not too long ago that Porzingis was among the players Knicks fans were showering with similar cheers.
Porzingis was asked about the Knicks fan base after the game.
“Honestly, the support from the Knicks fans was through the roof tonight and all throughout the playoffs,” Kristaps told reporters. “Unbelievable fans, unbelievable city, and there’s a side of me that’s very, very happy for them. I wish them nothing but the best.”
"The support from the Knicks fans was through the roof tonight and all throughout the playoffs. Unbelievable fans, unbelievable city and there's a side of me that's very very happy for them"
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 17, 2025
– Kristaps Porzingis pic.twitter.com/x3zPbEVcUb
Porzingis emerged as a potential franchise player for the Knicks during the mid-2010s. The sweet-shooting shot-blocker dubbed “The Unicorn” had fans believing that anything was possible at the time. But injuries and internal squabbles eventually pushed Porzingis to ask for a trade away from New York.
Porzingis later ended up in a terrific situation in Boston, becoming an integral piece to their championship puzzle during the Celtics’ 2024 title run. But in an alternate universe, perhaps Porzingis could have been the man to lead the New York hoops renaissance instead of Jalen Brunson.
