KP, Morant spearhead routs on their return
Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis and Ja Morant of Memphis made triumphant and long-awaited NBA returns from injuries on Monday, while Kyrie Irving scored 32 points to spark a Dallas victory at Atlanta.
Porzingis had 16 points, hitting five-of-six from inside three-point range, and added six rebounds, two blocks and two assists in 23 minutes for the reigning champion Celtics in a 126-94 home rout of the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Good to go and looking forward to many, many great wins,” Porzingis said. The Latvian center had been sidelined for five months following left ankle surgery last June after being injured in the NBA Finals.
“It has been killing me inside not to be able to be out there,” said Porzingis. “But it was worth the wait to come back now and finally be with my guys.”
Asked about his ankle, Porzingis said: “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
“I did have a couple flat tires on some lobs but I was still able to finish it and I’m happy with the game, happy with the win and with each game I’m only going to find my rhythm more and more.”
Missed 8 games
Jayson Tatum and reserve Payton Pritchard each scored 20 points to lead the Celtics while Derrick White had 19 and Jaylen Brown added 17.
“No matter who is in or out on this team, we’re an unbelievably built team,” Porzingis said. “It’s like nothing, whoever is out, we can still win any game.”
At Memphis, Morant was back to his fast-breaking, slam-dunking top form to spark the Grizzlies over Portland, 123-98.
Morant scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half and added 11 assists while Jaren Jackson Jr. had 21 points for Memphis. Morant has missed the past eight games for the Grizzlies after suffering a hip injury in a fall against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 6.
In Atlanta, Irving scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half to lead the Dallas Mavericks over the host Hawks, 129-119.
Thunder roll
Jaden Hardy added 23 points while Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie each added 22 for the Mavs.
Oklahoma City Thunder grabbed sole possession of the Western Conference lead at 13-4 (win-loss) after their 130-109 victory at the Sacramento Kings and Golden State’s 128-120 home defeat to the Brooklyn Nets.
Detroit’s Jaden Ivey scored the last of his team-high 25 points on a floater at the final buzzer to give the Pistons a 102-100 victory over visiting Toronto.
OG Anunoby scored 40 points to lead New York’s 145-118 rout at Denver.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 34 points and passed off 13 assists to lead the host Indiana Pacers over New Orleans, 114-110.
