'We are bonded for life'- NBA Champion Jayson Tatum Reflects on Facing Kristaps Porziņģis, Recalls Celtics Championship Bond
Jayson Tatum opens up about playing against 'Celtic forever' Kristaps Porziņģis while recalling their championship bond at a latest podcast appearance
- Surbhi Khera
- 3 min read
Seeing a former teammate on the opposite side rarely feels routine, especially when a championship run is still fresh. That was the case as Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum faced Kristaps Porziņģis, and later circled down on how the moment felt, to fight agaisnt a former comrade.
Speaking on a Celtics-focused podcast via CLNS Media, the 26-year-old addressed both the matchup and the connection they built during their time together. Despite being blocked by Kristaps Porziņģis on the opening layup attempt, Tatum, whose team emerged as the winner, was all about praising the recent title-winning season.
Tatum could not help but gush about about heartfelt reception Porziņģis received from the home crowd, including a tribute video during the game. The moment spoke volumes about the impact the Latvian big man had during his stint with the franchise.
That was not all. The 6-time NBA champ went on to credit their championships to the newly minted Golden State Warrior. In the end, it reflected how competition and sportsmanship can exist together, pushing the camaradrie way beyond the court.
1. Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Praises Kristaps Porziņģis’ Return post hiatus
Speaking on the CLNS Media podcast, the Celtics forward expressed satisfaction at seeing Kristaps Porziņģis back on the court. He focused first on the player’s health and return to action. ‘Happy to see him healthy and back out there playing,’ Tatum said, noting the importance of availability after injury setbacks. The comment reflected a level of mutual respect between the two. The NBA star also went on to highlight the in-arena atmosphere during the matchup. ‘It was really cool to see the reception that he got tonight and his tribute video,’ he added. The remarks showed that while the game carried competitive stakes, there was also room for appreciation, when Tatum did not shy away from getting nostalgic about their times together. ‘I miss the big fella,’ he said, marking a moment for fellow teams and fans alike.
2. Jayson Tatum goes down the memory lane, speaks on Championship moments and more
The four-time All-Star looked back at the period when Porziņģis was part of the Celtics setup. He emphasized that their shared success still holds significance. ‘It wasn’t that long ago, but those were some good times that we had,’ Tatum said. He referred to key moments from the championship-winning season. According to him, the 7-foot-3 big man remains an important figure in that run. For Tatum, he will forever be a Celtic, and also ‘a big piece of why we won the championship’. Speaking of the team spirit back in the days, Tatum placed Porziņģis’ contribution within a broader team achievement. He added how everyone on the team who made the championship have been ‘bonded for life’, something that goes beyond sports and points.
3. Celtics dominate as reunion turns competitive: game summary
While the reunion carried emotional weight, the game itself remained firmly competitive. Boston secured a 120–99 win over Golden State, controlling the pace for most of the night. Jayson Tatum led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds, continuing his strong run since returning from injury. The Celtics forward also knocked down five three-pointers, showing rhythm early in his comeback stretch. On the other side, Kristaps Porziņģis finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. He made an immediate impact defensively, including a block on Tatum’s opening layup attempt. The result reflected the difference in team form, with Boston sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference while Golden State continues to push for a play-in spot. Despite the scoreline, the matchup balanced competition with familiarity, closing the night on both a sporting and personal note.