New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis’ five best performances from the 2017-18 season
3. Torching The Suns
In 2016-17, the turning point of the season was a heartbreaking loss to the Phoenix Suns. With a chance to get a win for their head coach against his former team, the New York Knicks blew multiple chances to put the Suns away and lost a devastating overtime encounter.
With a shot at revenge in 2017-18, Kristaps Porzingis dominated Phoenix and its agitator, Marquese Chriss, en route to a riveting Knicks victory.
Porzingis continued his stretch of MVP-caliber performances with 37 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in a 120-107 win over the Suns. That includes the eight points he scored in the fourth quarter to put Phoenix away.
Following the performance, current Suns center and former Knicks star Tyson Chandler offered the highest of praise for Porzingis.
Per ESPN:
"“Porzingis is special. He has a chance to be the best player in this league,” said Suns center Tyson Chandler, the former Defensive Player of the Year. “Watching him tonight and seeing what he’s done so far this season, he has a real shot of being the best player in this league.”"
That’s a powerful statement from a 17-year veteran who has contributed in every phase of the game.
There are very few players who can realistically provide elite contributions as both a scorer and a defender. Porzingis undeniably checks those boxes, with an uncanny ability to simultaneously take over as a scorer and protect the paint.
Between the duel with Booker, the praise from Chandler, and his clutch play on both ends of the floor, Porzingis was a force to be reckoned with.