Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies marked their triumphant comebacks from injury with stellar performances on Monday, showing their value to their respective teams.
Kristaps Porzingis, sidelined for five months following ankle surgery, returned in style, contributing 16 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and two assists in just 23 minutes during Boston’s commanding 126-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Latvian center, hitting five of six from inside the arc, expressed his relief and excitement post-game.
“It has been killing me inside not to be out there,” Porzingis said. “But it was worth the wait. I’m happy with the game, happy with the win, and with each game, I’m only going to find my rhythm more.”
Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard each added 20 points for the reigning champions, while Derrick White and Jaylen Brown chipped in 19 and 17 points, respectively.
For the Clippers, Ivica Zubac led with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while James Harden nearly posted a triple-double with 19 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.
Ja Morant was equally electric in his return, helping Memphis to a 123-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Playing for the first time since suffering a hip injury on November 6, Morant scored 22 points — 20 of which came in the first half — and added 11 assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. supported with 21 points.
Memphis took control early, and Morant’s fast-breaking and dunking energized the home crowd, setting a tone for the Grizzlies’ dominant win.
In Atlanta, Kyrie Irving delivered a second-half scoring explosion, posting 22 of his 32 points after halftime to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 129-119 win over the Hawks. Jaden Hardy added 23 points, while Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 22 each.
Jalen Johnson’s 28-point effort wasn’t enough to prevent a third straight loss for the Hawks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder claimed the Western Conference lead at 13-4 with a decisive 130-109 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 37 points and 11 assists, while Jalen Williams contributed 28 points.
In other games, Brooklyn’s Dennis Schroder dropped 31 points in a 128-120 win over Golden State, and Detroit’s Jaden Ivey hit a game-winning floater to secure a 102-100 victory over Toronto.
Elsewhere, New York routed Denver 145-118, Indiana edged New Orleans 114-110, and Franz Wagner’s 21 points helped Orlando beat Charlotte 95-84 despite LaMelo Ball’s 44-point outburst.
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