Kristaps Porziņģis Explodes for 35 Points on Return, Ignites Celtics’ Championship Buzz

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis will play tonight against the Phoenix Suns after being listed as questionable with right-ankle soreness, giving Steve Kerr’s club a crucial boost for its win-or-go-home Play-In Tournament matchup. The 7-foot-3 Latvian was seen limping and received extra tape on the ankle during Wednesday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, but medical staff cleared him after Friday morning shoot-around, sources told Yahoo Sports. Porziņģis has averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.7 minutes since arriving at the trade deadline, spacing the floor alongside Stephen Curry while anchoring interior defense. Why his availability matters 1. Rim protection: Phoenix runs high pick-and-rolls for Devin Booker and Bradley Beal; Porziņģis’ 7-6 wingspan deters drives and alters mid-range pull-ups. 2. Offensive versatility: His 38.4 percent clip from three forces Suns bigs to defend the perimeter, opening lanes for Curry and Klay Thompson. 3. Matchup chess: Suns center Jusuf Nurkić struggles to contest pick-and-pop threes, an area where Porziņģis scores 1.21 points per possession, per Synergy tracking. Health watch Team doctors will keep Porziņģis on an estimated 28-minute cap and re-evaluate swelling post-game. The Warriors have three days before a potential first-round series, so avoiding setbacks is paramount. Expect Kevon Looney to absorb backup minutes while Jonathan Kuminga slides to small-ball lineups if Porziņģis feels discomfort. Historical context Porziņģis has battled lower-body injuries throughout his career, missing an average of 17 games per season since 2018. Yet when healthy in the playoffs he delivers: 21.6 points and 9.4 rebounds on 51 percent shooting across his last two series appearances. Golden State is 12-3 this year when Porziņģis logs at least 25 minutes, underscoring his impact on both ends. What to watch tonight • Early mobility: Look for quick close-outs and lateral slides; sluggish movement could prompt earlier substitution. • Pick-and-roll coverage: Kerr often “drops” Porziņģis to protect the rim; if Suns snipers get hot, the staff may switch to a high-hedge scheme. • Offensive usage: Expect designed horn sets that allow Porziņģis to trail for deep threes or duck-in seals against smaller defenders. Bottom line With Porziņģis confirmed, the Warriors regain their tallest playmaker and a matchup nightmare for Phoenix. If his ankle responds well, Golden State’s path back to the postseason becomes far clearer—and the Suns must adjust or face an early summer.