Kristaps Porzingis ended the 2024 calendar year by missing the final three games with an ankle injury. He also missed the first game of the new year, which has the Celtics on a four-game road trip out West.

Porzingis didn’t play in Boston’s first game of the road trip in Minnesota on Thursday, but it was a back-to-back and he played on Friday in Houston.

It was the first time Porzingis was available to play in four games. He finished with 11-points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field and made two of his three attempts from behind the arc. He had five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 28 minutes.

For what it’s worth, Porzingis looked good in his first action in four games. Returning from an ankle injury, he maneuvered himself well around the court and held his own. He didn’t appear to be holding back much.

Porzingis said postgame that he’s still trying to find his rhythm this season. It’s been quite the challenge for him to do so considering he’s been in and out of the lineup while being on and off the injury report.

“I felt alright. Still haven’t been in my best shape this season yet, so it’s a little bit tough. But I’m happy to be healthy and working my way toward feeling better and better each game.”

Also during postgame, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was impressed with Porzingis’ game for it being the first one in four games. He said he looked well and provided solid defense in the second half.

“It’s tough for him because he’s going through a transition of coming in. But I thought his defense in the second half was tremendous. I thought we went to a couple things that kind of got him going a little bit on some pin-downs and got him comfortable. I thought for his first game back, I thought he was great. He really helped us, especially defensively, in the second half.”

Porzingis has only played in 12 of Boston’s 35 games this season. He’s averaging 17.7 points on 44.9 percent shooting, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.

The most important thing for the Celtics is to continue managing for Porzingis to be healthy and available in the playoffs.

Boston’s next game is on Sunday afternoon in Oklahoma City, which Porzingis is not on the injury report for.

He should be back on the court for the second consecutive game on this road trip.

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Photo Credit: Alex Slitz, Getty Images