Kristaps Porzingis is set to make another appearance at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, and while the reception won’t be quite as hostile as it was in 2019 due to diminished crowds, he is still likely to hear some boos, as he has heard from Knicks fans since requesting a trade two seasons ago.
Despite the rude welcoming that likely awaits, Porzingis still admitted to missing his Knicks days, where he spent the first four seasons of his career after being drafted fourth overall in 2015.
“I miss the city,” Porzingis said while speaking with reporters on Thursday. “I miss this place. I have a lot of good memories. Every time I come back its just special. A lot of people here still recognize me and show me love and support, so it’s good to come back.”
Porzingis earned an All-Star selection during his New York tenure, and was believed to be the pillar of the team’s rebuild, but the Knicks struggled to find success while Porzingis struggled with injuries, and the Latvian star wound up requesting a trade that was eventually granted, with New York making a deal with the Mavericks to acquire picks and cap space. Now two years later, the trade is seen in a different lens, after Porzingis has continue to battle injuries while the upstart Knicks are competing for a playoff spot with a core of young talent.
“They’re good, they’re playing physical,” Porzingis said of his former team. “They’re playing a little bit slower but they take their time and they have good group. They play hard defensively. Very solid team. They’re not a team we can overlook and think that we’re going to come in there and beat them. Especially when they’re at home. So we’re going to take them very seriously and prepare for them.”
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