Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis said Wednesday that there’s “no ill will” between him and Mavericks star Luka Doncic from their time together in Dallas, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“At that time, there were some rumors that there was something in the locker room. It was never like that. It was all just noise at the end,” Porzingis said ahead of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Mavericks.
He added, “It just didn’t work out, but I have nothing but love for Dallas and for my teammates and for everybody there.”
Dallas acquired Porzingis from the New York Knicks during Doncic’s rookie campaign in 2019. The Mavericks will send the Knicks the final piece of that trade during this year’s draft: the No. 24 selection.
Porzingis spent three seasons with the Mavericks, averaging 20 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Injuries kept him out of the lineup for much of his time in Dallas – he never eclipsed 57 games played in a single season for the team. The Mavericks traded him to the Washington Wizards at the 2022 deadline.
“We were still both young,” Doncic said of his time with Porzingis. “We tried to make it work, but it just didn’t work. So we moved on.”
Porzingis, who’s missed the Celtics’ previous 10 playoff contests with a calf injury, said he’ll be ready for Game 1 of the Finals. He’ll be asked to anchor one of the league’s best defenses as it tries to stop the duo of Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
In 17 games this postseason, Doncic and Irving are combining for an average of 51.6 points, 14 assists, and 13.5 rebounds. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, the NBA’s No. 1 rated defense, Doncic captured the playoff MVP while averaging 32.4 points and 8.2 assists.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is set to begin Thursday night in Boston.
https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2923147/porzingis-no-ill-will-between-luka-and-me
