Not only would Kristaps Porzingis welcome it, he’s eagerly hoping to face his old side in the playoffs.
The Celtics’ big man, who infamously began his career with the Knicks after the team drafted him No. 4 overall in the 2015 draft before a turbulent parting of ways, would revel in a playoff atmosphere between the teams — even if much of Knicks fans’ attention would be dedicated to booing and berating him.
“I think it’s healthy,” Porzingis told The Post before the Knicks’ 116-102 loss to the Celtics on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. “I don’t mind it. It’s passion. Knicks fans are passionate. Especially if we see them in the playoffs, for example, it’s gonna be a crazy environment and crazy emotions, so I look forward to that.
“We’re gonna be there for sure, there’s definitely gonna be some [playoff] matchups in the future.”
The Celtics and Knicks entered Saturday as the Nos. 1 and 4 seeds in the Eastern Conference, respectively, and if they end the season in the same spots, they’d face each other in the conference semifinals as long as both teams win their first-round series.
Porzingis, who signed a two-year, $60 million extension with the Celtics before the season, has long become accustomed to jeering Knicks fans — that has been a staple to his returns to New York City, including Saturday night as he shined with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and a block at his old stomping grounds.
But, playing with the Mavericks and Wizards before being traded to the Celtics this past offseason, Porzingis had not yet worn a uniform for a team that could really stand in the way of the Knicks’ ambitions, much less one of the franchise’s biggest rivals.
The booing had declined through the years until Porzingis started wearing the green and white.
“I think each year is less [booing],” Porzingis said. “But maybe now that I’m on Boston, it’s again up a little bit. To be honest, I prefer some sort of emotion. A lot of people are supporting me also, but there’s still some boos out there for sure.
“To be honest, there’s still some home feeling here. At the end of the day, three-and-a-half years here, a lot of great memories, my family is here, I fell in love playing here, and now I love playing here as a guest. Nothing but positive emotions when I come here.”
Porzingis, of course, hasn’t experienced what Madison Square Garden is like during the playoffs, as the Knicks didn’t finish higher than 11th in the East during his time with the team.
But he’s seen how electric the Garden can be from afar, and if he has his way, he’ll be right in the middle of it in May.
“They got an incredible guy in Jalen Brunson, who is their leader,” Porzingis said. “Knowing him and his personality, it’s no coincidence they’re this good. I’m happy for them, I’m happy for the city. The city was hungry for a good team, and finally these guys after a year in the playoffs and making runs are bringing some excitement to the league. I think the league is better when the Knicks are good.”