NEW YORK — There was no ceremonious tribute video or standing ovation for the New York Knicks’ former face of the franchise on Thursday night.
Kristaps Porzingis was booed while he went through warm-ups. Fans interrupted the national anthem and let out screams of “Go back to back to Latvia” and “Traitor.”
Porzingis was forcibly booed during the Mavericks’ starting lineup introductions. He was booed every time he touched the ball and every time he took a shot. Sometimes, Porzingis was booed without any apparent reason.
This was the welcome Porzingis had expected in his first game back at Madison Square Garden since he was traded from New York to Dallas in February 2019. On Wednesday, Porzingis said that if social media were any indication, he expected a negative response.
Less than two minutes into Thursday night’s game, chants of “KP sucks” broke out. The arena broke out in the chant again as the New York City dancers ran to center court during the first timeout.
Tribute videos have become a popular way for teams to honor their former players and it was noticable that one didn’t play for Porzingis. The San Antonio Spurs projected one onto the Jumbotron for Kawhi Leonard’s return. Dwyane Wade received one when he played for the Bulls and first faced Miami. The Hawks even gave Mike Scott a tribute video.
Porzingis played four seasons with the Knicks and blossomed into an All-Star with the franchise.
A few fans showed up to the game donning Porzingis No. 6 New York jerseys.
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