When the Golden State Warriors return from the All-Star break on Thursday night (February 19, 2026) to face the Boston Celtics, this matchup isn’t just another high-stakes game between two contenders — it carries special meaning for Celtics fans: Kristaps Porzingis, their former cornerstone, will officially make his Warriors debut against the very team he helped lead to Banner 18.
Porzingis is listed as questionable, but he told reporters: “I’m ready to go.” After being limited to just 17 games this season due to illness and Achilles tendinitis while with Atlanta, Porzingis used the All-Star break to work closely with the Warriors’ training staff and fully participated in Wednesday night’s scrimmage. Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed the plan is to ease him in with short bursts and limited minutes initially, most likely coming off the bench alongside new teammate Al Horford — another former Boston running mate.
“Weird,” Porzingis said about facing the Celtics. “Who would believe this? But this is how it works. Obviously we expected Boston to have some changes with the money stuff, but it’s going to be weird.”
Porzingis Was a Key Piece of the Celtics’ 2024 Championship
Porzingis joined Boston ahead of the 2023-24 season and quickly became an essential part of their title run. His spacing, post-up scoring, three-point shooting, and rim protection created nightmare mismatches for opponents. Now wearing Warriors colors and facing his old team, Celtics fans are left with a mix of nostalgia, curiosity, and perhaps a touch of betrayal: Will Porzingis celebrate if he scores on Boston? Or will he show the same respect he always spoke of toward the organization?
Celtics Still Dominant Without Tatum — But This Game Is a Statement Opportunity
Boston enters at 35-16, second in the East, despite Jayson Tatum still recovering from his Achilles injury suffered in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a deep supporting cast have kept the ship steady and elite. Thursday’s game is a chance for the Celtics to prove they remain a top-tier contender — even against a Warriors team introducing Porzingis and missing Stephen Curry (out with right knee “runner’s knee” soreness).
Curry tested his knee in Wednesday’s scrimmage but wasn’t ready, ruling him out for Thursday. Kerr said an update would come after further evaluation with lead medical decision-maker Rick Celebrini (currently in Milan watching his son Macklin play Olympic hockey for Team Canada). If Curry needs more time, Golden State will lean on Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Porzingis to create problems for Boston’s defense.
Emotional Angle for Celtics Fans: Porzingis the Former Hero, Now the Opponent
For Boston faithful, this isn’t just about wins and losses. Porzingis was beloved for his dedication and clutch moments during the championship journey. Seeing him in Warriors blue facing the green feels surreal — a reminder of how quickly the NBA landscape shifts. Some fans may boo; others may still cheer the big man who once helped bring Banner 18 home.
Celtics fans: What are your feelings about Porzingis’ debut against Boston? Will the Celtics handle the emotional matchup with ease, or could Porzingis give their defense headaches right away? Drop your predictions below and share if you’re locked in for this emotional Thursday night showdown!