In an emotional reunion at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics dominated the Golden State Warriors 120-99 on Wednesday night, March 18, 2026, but the real story unfolded off the court as Jaylen Brown delivered a touching tribute to his former teammate Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis, the 2024 NBA champion who helped lead Boston to glory before being traded first to the Atlanta Hawks and then to the Warriors in February 2026 (in a deal sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta), returned to the arena where he once celebrated a title. The Celtics honored him with a heartfelt standing ovation and a tribute video, recognizing his pivotal role during his two impactful seasons in green.
Porzingis finished with a modest 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks—far from his explosive 30-point outing against the Wizards just days earlier. He admitted postgame that he’s still recovering and building back his conditioning.
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“I still got a good ways to go honestly,” Porzingis told reporters, estimating he’s at about 60 percent of his peak form from last season before health setbacks. “Today I felt my engine was a bit in overdrive… but I expect with each game to get closer and closer.”
The night belonged to Brown, who erupted for 32 points (23 in the first half alone) in an MVP-caliber showing, climbing to 10th on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list. Jayson Tatum, in his seventh game back from a lengthy Achilles recovery, added 24 points and 10 rebounds. The win marked Boston’s third straight, improving their record to 46-23 ahead of a trip to Memphis.
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But Brown’s postgame comments stole the spotlight, revealing the unbreakable bond forged in championship glory.
“When you go through a journey like we did, winning a championship, it becomes like a brotherhood,” Brown said. “No matter where we go in life, KP will always have a friend in me.”
The quote, shared widely on social media, captured the deep affection between the two. Porzingis delivered key moments in the 2024 Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, and that shared triumph created a lasting connection—one that transcends trades and new uniforms.
Celtics fans showed love with cheers during warmups and throughout the game, a reminder of Porzingis’ contributions. As Brown continues to lead Boston alongside Tatum, and Porzingis works toward full strength in Golden State, the brotherhood endures.
No matter the paths they take, Jaylen Brown made it clear: KP will always have a friend in him.