WATCH: Porzingis receives rousing ovation in return for injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The TD Garden crowd gave a warm welcome to Kristaps Porzingis after his injury before Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Boston Celtics big man was back on the floor for the first time since Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals, when he suffered a leg injury in the offseason that required surgery. He received a warm welcome from fans as he entered the pitch during warm-ups and received a thunderous ovation as the players introduced him.

Watch both moments below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC0H07Ls9CB

Porzingis’ season debut came a month earlier than expected. The 29-year-old’s original recovery timeline called for a return around Christmas Day.

A healthy Porzingis is a key part of the 2024 NBA championship roster and will provide a major boost to Boston’s frontcourt. Last season he averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. In the playoffs, he averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the floor.

Porzingis had a successful debut on Monday, scoring 16 points on 6 of 12 shooting along with six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in 22 minutes of Boston’s 126-94 win.

The Celtics have done well without Porzingis with a 14-3 record to start the season. With Porzingis at full strength, it will be hard for any team to stop her on her path to repeat.