Washington commits questionable hard foul on Porzingis in Game 5

Washington commits questionable hard foul on Porzingis in Game 5 originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON – The Dallas Mavericks wasted no time in targeting Kristaps Porzingis in his return to action on Monday night.

The Boston Celtics big man was active in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals after not playing in Games 3 and 4 due to a left leg injury, coming off the bench midway through the first quarter to a thunderous ovation from the TD Garden crowd.

With 9:23 left in the second quarter, Mavs forward P.J. Washington gave Porzingis his personal welcome, giving the Celtics big man a tough shoulder and then pulling him onto the court with his hands. two hands.

Washington was fouled on the play, but to both teams’ credit, things didn’t get worse from there. While Porzingis obviously objected to Washington’s foul, Celtics star Jayson Tatum stepped between Porzingis and several players and gestured to keep playing.

Mavs coach Jason Kidd suggested before the game that his team would test Porzingis’ ability to move on both sides, so it’s not surprising that Dallas was upset with the 7-foot-2 big man.

Porzingis responded by scoring a goal on Boston’s possession, so it appears he wasn’t rattled by Washington’s antics — and more importantly, he wasn’t hurt.