Kristaps Porzingis has already been an All-Star once in his career. It seems that the Celtics big man is at a point that he’s moved past caring about becoming one again.

Porzingis’ move to the Celtics last summer was fueled by his desire to win a championship, and that certainly hasn’t changed. After being a No. 1 option in multiple NBA stops in his career, the 28-year-old’s individual accomplishments don’t mean as much to him anymore.

“To be completely honest, my focus is so low on that,” Porzingis said on the possibility of being an All-Star. “My main focus is – or the only focus is, really, to keep winning. If we’re No. 1 in the league, I think those things will kind of take care of itself. But I would say even the importance for me, comparing to maybe the beginning of my career, it’s so much lower now. You cannot even compare it. I know what my main goal is and what I’m here for. So again, as I’ve said before, if we just keep winning, those individual accolades will just kind of take care of itself.”

But that doesn’t mean the Celtics won’t push Porzingis for his second career All-Star selection. The team has been marketing its entire five for All-Star consideration over the last month, and on Friday there were brochures waiting for the media specifically about Porzingis’ candidacy.

Porzingis has a good chance to make the All-Star Game, where he would almost certainly join Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He came in sixth among Eastern Conference frontcourt players in the most recent round of All-Star fan voting, though he will need to be voted in by coaches to be selected as a reserve.

But around the league, it’s clear that Porzingis is regarded as an All-Star level player this season despite his numbers being down.

“I think his efficiency,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Porzingis’ All-Star candidacy. “I think he’s done a great job just playing versus different coverages, just being efficient on the offensive end, and just playing good basketball. I think all those things play into that.”

Battle scars

Porzingis revealed on Friday why he wears a sleeve on his left arm.

When asked a question about the beating that Nuggets star Nikola Jokic takes and the scratches he has on his arms, Porzingis pulled down his sleeve to show his own battle scars.

“Pretty much every player that’s either a big or a guard or even anybody pretty much that has extra attention on them usually have scratched up hands, arms, all that,” Porzingis said. “I have one I will show you guys, like this was second season in my career. Everybody thinks it’s like a surgery, but it was a scratch in the game. That’s why I actually started wearing the sleeve, because it was all bloody. We all get scratched up.

“But I agree, Jokic, his arms are always for some reason just red. It’s insane. Maybe he needs to start wearing some sleeves.”

Porzingis returned on Friday after missing Wednesday’s win over the Spurs due to right knee inflammation, which was his 11th absence of the season, but he said he’s feeling healthy at the halfway point of the season.

“It’s feeling good,” Porzingis said of his body. “Feeling great. Of course, the medical staff is always on the more cautionary side of things and understanding that we have to look at the big picture. I’m feeling great and ready to go.”

Tip-ins

Derrick White will also likely need help from coaches around the league to earn a spot as an All-Star reserve, but it appears at least one opposing coach thinks he’s worthy.

“Derrick White is having an All-Star caliber year,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. “It’s crazy. He’s averaging one block per game and he’s a guard. They lead the league in blocks per game. So yeah, give a lot of credit to Derrick, he just continues to find ways to get better and impact winning and he’s been a great addition as well.” …

The Celtics entered Friday night with a 20-0 record at home – their best start at home in franchise history – and Porzingis said he hopes they keep that home excellence rolling for one big reason.

“That speaks about our team but it almost speaks more about the atmosphere at the Garden, no? Because we’re not playing to that level on the road,” Porzingis said. “It just shows the type of the energy we get from the fans from playing at home, and making those comebacks and hitting huge shots and just having fun out there. So I would say great job on our part, but even better by the fans who are there. …

“I think that’s why it’s very important to finish very high in the league if we can maintain that No. 1 spot to get that home advantage.” …

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon was active Friday after being listed as probable with a right shoulder sprain. Both the Celtics and Nuggets were at full strength.