The Dallas Mavericks are off to an unfortunate start in the 2024 NBA Finals. The Mavs suffered an 89-107 defeat to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 on Friday night. The Celtics completely dominated Dallas and won with a staggering difference of 18 points. The Mavs, who have been performing exceptionally well throughout the season, are struggling against the Eastern Conference winners.

Amidst the Mavs’ struggle, point guard Josh Green had a rather poor performance. Green only scored three points and grabbed three rebounds in 20 minutes of action. In the 1st quarter, as Green leaped up for a dunk, Celtics’ 7″2 Kristaps Porziņģis shut him down. ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst harshly criticized his play on his podcast, “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective.” Windhorst sarcastically said, “He had a rush of blood to his head in the 1st quarter and tried some crazy dunk from the dotted line with Porziņģis hunting him. You think you’re Michael Jordan? What was that about?“

Green’s postseason stats for 2023-34 have been just as underwhelming. The player has averaged 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 40.6% from the field, 36.7% from beyond the arc, and 84.6% from the free throw line.

Luka Dončić, on the other hand, was Dallas’ star player, scoring 30 points. Still, his efforts proved insufficient to close the gap. P.J. Washington and Jaden Hardy each scored 14 and 13 points, while Kyrie Irving contributed 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. The Mavericks shot poorly, with a field goal percentage of 41.7%, three-point percentage of 25.9%, and free throw percentage of 63.2%.

Most of all, Dallas looked completely defeated in front of Kristaps Porzingis. Even his former teammate Luka Doncic was looked to be struggling against him. With only 21 minutes of on-court action, Porzingis changed the game on Friday.

Kristaps Porzingis, the “matchup nightmare”

Boston teammate Derrick White referred to Porzingis as the “matchup nightmare,” he said, “Even when you play good defense, he doesn’t really see you.” Following a 38-day hiatus due to a strained right calf, Kristaps Porziņģis made a victorious return. After entering the game as a substitute, Porziņāis finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks in just 21 minutes. When he replaced Al Horford with 7:17 remaining in the first quarter, he had an instant impact on the game.

Porziņgis immediately got to work, making two free throws and then making a short jumper over Doncic. He defeated Derrick Lively with a two-handed dunk and contributed three key blocks; Josh Green, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kyrie Irving. Two of these were in the first quarter itself.

The star of the night shared his thoughts in a post-game interview, “At the end, it’s just basketball, and I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Porzingis said. “Even if I have time off, I can jump right back in, and I feel the same way. I can get to my spots, and I do. So whether it’s playoffs, regular season, or whatever, I know how to do this.”

Kristaps Porzingis’ play off the bench gave the Celtics a big boost, one that was crucial to their victory. As the series progresses, the Mavs will have to re-strategize against the matchup nightmare. The revitalized player will prove to be a massive obstacle on Dallas’ path to the championship.