Mavericks: Kristaps Porzingis grabs defensive belt in win over Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks need a healthy Kristaps Porzingis firing on all cylinders to reach their full potential. The Unicorn played outstanding inside the Walt Disney World bubble as the Mavs pushed the LA Clippers to the brink in the first round of the playoffs. An unfortunate injury ended his season early and dashed Dallas’ upset hopes.

KP missed time to start this season before the Mavericks dealt with significant COVID absences. The team is finally back on track and beginning to hit its stride. They had won ten of their last 13 games entering Saturday’s battle against the Denver Nuggets. It would be no easy win in the Mile High City, though.

Porzingis had a monster performance on both ends of the floor to lift Dallas to a 116-103 victory. He finished with 25 points, six rebounds, one steal, and three blocks on ten of 15 shooting from the field. It was a masterpiece that earned him the Defensive Player of the Game belt. Let us take a closer look at KP’s night.

Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis wins Defensive Player of the Game belt vs. Nuggets

The Mavs got off to a slow start in Denver but quickly found their stride. Porzingis had eight first-quarter points to keep Dallas in the game. They came out and dominated the second and third quarters to secure the victory. KP dealt the crushing blow with this deep 3-pointer late in the fourth.

It was his defense that earned him the belt, though. Coach Rick Carlisle had this to say about why the Unicorn got it on Saturday night courtesy of Brad Townsend.

Porzingis had 28 points and 14 rebounds in the Mavericks’ win over the Spurs in their first game after the All-Star break. Could this be the beginning of a massive stretch from the Unicorn? He is no stranger to putting up unheard-of numbers. The rest of the league should be on notice because KP is heating up.

The Dallas Mavericks need Kristaps Porzingis to keep up his outstanding play on both ends of the floor. Fans will not want to miss a second of the action, so please stay tuned.