Unicorn sighting: the return of Kristaps Porzingis

The Celtics seven-game homestand was billed as a chance to make a statement to the league. With a slew of contenders coming to TD Garden, all comers for the throne would have to see how they measured up to the champs. And while a 5-2 record that included wins against the Nuggets and Lakers was notable, the absence of Kristaps Porzingis in close losses to conference leaders Cleveland and Oklahoma City produced some guarded optimism that with the big man, the results might have been different.

And after such a positive output in his first game back against the Nets, you’d be hard-pressed to not think that we could be looking at a nine-game winning streak.

While his three-point accuracy was off (1-for-7 at Barclays), he scored in a variety of ways, including dribble drives, slipping out of pick-and-rolls, cutting off ball, and shooting over mismatches.

“At first, I felt a little bit out of rhythm,” Porzingis told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. “I’m not gonna lie. The first few shots were a bit brick-y. But as the game went on, I felt better and better. I’m happy to be back.”

Porzingis finished with 24 points, two rebounds, and a block.

“I’m not feeling in shape yet. It’s been tough these last couple of weeks, but in these kind of moments, you just gotta bite down and bring something from deep. That’s what I try and do and I’m happy we got the win,” Porzingis said.

After the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla credited Porzingis for his positive attitude and “optimism” despite a difficult regular season with his return initially delayed by a lengthy recovery from surgery and most recently, an extended absence with a virus.

Porzingis said that it was the sickest that he’s ever been in his life — with mononucleosis as a possible early diagnosis that was later ruled out — and that the virus progressed to something like bronchitis. With just fourteen games left until the playoffs start at the end of April, he’s doing everything he can to get into game shape — including some “biohacking stuff that I know.”

He played 32 minutes against the Nets including the entire fourth quarter when he led the team with 14 points. And after being “extremely, extremely frustrated not knowing what [he] had,” his performance on Saturday reminds the Celtics what they have in him and is just another reminder that of all the great players on the roster, Porzingis is by far the most x-factor-y of them all.

But even after such a strong showing, there might always be a cloud of mysticism surrounding the Unicorn. Boston didn’t seem to need him in the playoffs last year and if you’re a hard numbers fan, it’s hard to ignore that with Al Horford in the starting lineup, the Celtics are a +18.9 better in net rating.

However, the two #1 seeds in the East and West both field two giant frontcourts of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein respectively. And despite the stats not being in his favor and his uncertainty of his availability, the eye test last night shows you just how much he tilts the scales.