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New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis’ five best performances from the 2017-18 season

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 31: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks. is introduced before the game against the Boston Celtics on January 31, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 31: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks. is introduced before the game against the Boston Celtics on January 31, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets on October 30, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets on October 30, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Outplaying Jokic

A debate will likely rage until the end of their respective careers about which player is better: Kristaps Porzingis or Nikola Jokic? Both players are stars in their own right, but as European big men, their careers will be forever intertwined—whether fair or foul.

The debate still rages, but even if for one night only, Porzingis proved that he’s the superior player with a sensational showing against Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

Jokic certainly played well, posting 28 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one block, and a steal. Porzingis was simply better, as he matched Jokic shot-for-shot until he proved to be too much for any member of the Nuggets to handle.

Porzingis finished the shootout with his budding rival by recording 38 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three blocks in 34 minutes of statement basketball.

Porzingis shot 15-of-24 from the field, 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-6 from the free throw line in a game where everything seemed to be working for him. He scored 10 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter alone, including four clutch free throws to answer a Jokic three.

Porzingis seems to get up for the biggest of moments, and against Jokic and the Nuggets, he did exactly that for a Knicks team that was viewed as a heavy underdog.

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