Kristaps Porzingis NOT GOING TO CRY During Celtics Tribute | Pregame Interview

How does it feel to be back?

Feels good. Feels good. Familiar. It feels good to be back. How weird is it?

Is it weird?

It is a bit weird. It is a bit weird. I miss the city. I miss everything. The arena, the court. Like, honestly, it's good memories, you know. I came back a little bit, so it's weird, but it's a good feeling to be back.

What did you do yesterday? Anything like visit old Haanse?

Getting rest. I was getting rest, got a massage, just getting some rest. And so I'm fresh for today.

Might be an easy question to say, what is your favorite memory from being here? 'Cause we know the big one was, but what else do you think about with your time here in Boston?

I don't know, it was a lot of like small moments, honestly, even outside the basketball. Like just, I don't know, being in the city, like having my little spots to go for a coffee. Just overall, the whole, like, my life here in Boston, I really enjoyed it. Basketball was pretty stressful here, I'm not gonna lie. But, you know, it comes with the territory. You know, we wanted to win it all and we did it. So I would say the whole package was just special.

How would you describe what the last 10 or so months have been like for you since you left here?

Summer was good, and then obviously, you know, this season has been pretty shitty, you know. But now I'm healthy. Now I'm healthy and I'm actually feeling good, so I'm getting a real, like, good feeling about basketball again, you know, which is the most important. Because everything else kind of goes into second place when you're not feeling perfect, you know. And it's just natural, I think, for to feel that way. And now when I'm actually getting my legs back, getting in a good shape, you know, it's a good reminder why I love this, you know, and just enjoying playing again.

When you first got sick that year here, did you ever imagine just how long and how difficult it would end up being? And, you know, what was that process like for you of trying to improve, get better from that, and just recover? How difficult it was for you.

No, super annoying, honestly, super annoying. Also, just even when I got that moment, when I got sick, it wasn't like usually I'm sick maybe 2 days, you know, and then you're fine, you start to do, do, do. It was like for a week I was kind of like, what's going on, you know? And then it kind of kept like lingering, you know? My system couldn't really fully recover. So it was super annoying, super like frustrating in a way. And then obviously the playoffs was just, you know, like the cherry on top, you know, like I was like, yo, but recovered from that. And I knew like sooner or later I will be back, you know, it's just annoying in the moment. It's super annoying, but I just kept on a positive mindset. I knew I was going to be fine sooner or later.

How difficult has it made it to continue playing basketball for you? And have there been moments as you've tried to recover from it where you've thought like, all right, am I going to be able to continue playing here?

I didn't really want to put those kind of ideas in my head. I was like, just even in general for life, I don't want to be kind of like 60% of my energy. I don't want to live this way. I want to eventually, I'll figure out a way. No matter what, I'll figure out a way how to feel how where I need to feel, or at least close to where I was. And I did. Honestly, now I'm recovering really well again. Like, everything's kind of back to tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk, you know. So I'm finally starting to feel like myself again, and I'm happy. Honestly, I'm happy.

What do you guys think that it took a long time for Kawhi to finally figure that out?

It wasn't just this last season stuff. I had some other stuff, but that's also— had to figure that out. So Just a little bit of like, maybe like a chain reaction of things, you know, happen. But, but as I said, very frustrating, obviously, in the moment. But I knew, like, in my head, I'm like, it's a matter of time. Just stay with it. Do all the things right. Nutrition, this, this, this. And, and now I'm on this trajectory.

Kristaps, the first game you played with the Warriors was— just happened to be against the Celtics. Have you kind of— I know you were kind of shell-shocked at that point and everything that had gone down. Have you kind of wrapped your mind around it? What is it like being on the other side now and then having to come here?

Uh, yeah, no, honestly, like, California and the weather, this is very nice. It's very, very nice. San Francisco is a beautiful city. I don't know if it's a correct comparison, but for me, it reminds me a little bit of Boston, you know, like, kind of like, it's very walkable. It's, it's, it's, it's, the city is kind of, it's more compact, kind of like Boston in a way. So For me, there was some similarities when I got there, because in Atlanta I had a completely different setup and it was not familiar for me. But San Francisco is, yeah, plus the weather, this, like, team, great, organization awesome, like arena, playing there, like, honestly, it's like the whole package, you know, kind of like here. So, yeah, I was excited about the news. Obviously, it was still fresh for me, so I was like, okay, let me, you know, try to focus on this game, but But now that I've spent a few more days there and some time there, I really enjoy it. And yeah, we'll see what the future holds. And one thing for sure is I miss this place a little bit.

Kind of a two-part—

You guys are close with JB too. What has it been like to see him this season and kind of take ownership of the group?

I mean, honestly, he's always been super vocal. He's always been leading the group, you know, vocally. And this year, he, you know, he's— You know, he always kind of, I think, wanted to, you know, take more responsibility. He never shies away from it, you know. So for him to have that this year and for them to do really good, I think he can give himself credit, you know. He can give himself credit and kind of— I think it just shows everybody else what he already knew in his mind, you know. So I'm happy for him. Obviously, I know who he is, what type of person he is, and I know, like, Success for him, it's, you know, it's just a— it's gonna come to him because of who he is and how he thinks and how he sees everything. So yeah, hats off to him.

Kind of a two-part question. Are you in touch with your former Celtics teammates? And then as a second part to that, you've obviously had injuries throughout your career. What do you think about Tatum's return and sort of how quickly he was able to come back to basketball shape?

Oh yeah, yeah, of course. I kept in touch. Even I went out with the guys a little bit when they were in Atlanta. We had a good time there. And JT, yeah, I think, I mean, I think he's a little bit of a guy that can't sit still, you know? He wanted to get back out there and, you know, and JT's back and this. And I completely understand him because that was me last season when I was coming back from the ankle. Like, it's so annoying to do the rehab workouts and push yourself that way. It's way more easier to push yourself when you actually get on the court, you know, and get the conditioning and get everything right, get your legs and maybe lose a couple pounds. Like, you know, like all those things are a little bit easier and you want to be around the team. You want to be in the locker room preparing for the game. You want to do all these things. So I completely understand him and I don't know, he's probably, I don't know, I haven't checked, but he probably is playing good already, you know, and knowing him also, his work ethic and stuff, like for sure he was super locked in with the rehab just to make sure he can come back as soon as possible. He didn't want to miss any good moments with the team. I'm 100% sure about that. So JT is an animal, and the man, for sure he worked his ass off to get to this spot as soon as possible.

I have one more, sorry. Had such a strong connection with the fan base. Have you imagined what it's gonna be like in here tonight, walking in, but then also the video tribute and all of that?

I don't know. I'm not in the middle of a game. I'm not gonna be crying, you know? But for sure it will, you know, some good memories. Good, good memories. Let's see. Let's see. Honestly, just thinking about it now, I got a good feeling, you know? So, obviously, love my time here so much. And let's see how tonight goes.

What do you remember about that night? You were obviously there when Jason did get hurt. And did you keep in touch with him through the recovery process at all? Like, what do you just remember about that injury and how difficult of a moment that was for him?

Yeah, of course. Of course. I mean, it wasn't ideal because we dropped the first 2 games at home already. The series was super weird, you know? And then him getting hurt on top of that, me not being— me, was, you know, like the whole thing was, uh, then him getting hurt was like, you know, just a heartbreak for all of us. And yeah, that's, you know, unfortunate, you know, unfortunate end to that season. But that's how this sport is.

Just what's been your reaction to seeing how well these guys have played this season after obviously all the turnover they had, plus Jason's injury and all that, to be where they are now?

I think honestly it's a, like, it's a good, it was a good situation for them to be in, in a way, like, oh, everybody's saying, oh, Celtics gonna be a lottery team, this, that, the other, you know? I think one, it puts like an extra motivation, give you like a chip on your shoulder, and two, you have no expectations. At the same time. So that's like a perfect situation and they're kind of using that to the maximum. I think Joe has turned up a few more levels of craziness probably with the young guys, you know, and he's squeezing everything he can out of them. And look at that group, like, you know, they're playing super well.

Good game, guys.

Thanks, Kristaps.