Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis will miss at least two weeks as he undergoes additional evaluations due to an illness, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Charania, both Atlanta and Porzingis are taking a big-picture view of the Latvian big man’s health in the hope of having him more available later in the season.
The Hawks have confirmed the news in a press release (Twitter link). According to the team, Porzingis will only participate in limited basketball activities over the next two weeks, after which time his status will be updated.
Porzingis, who is earning $30.7MM in 2025/26 and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer if he doesn’t sign an extension before then, will miss his third consecutive game on Sunday against Philadelphia after returning for one game earlier this month following four straight absences because of the unspecified illness.
Porzingis discussed the illness in general terms after the December 5 loss to Denver, his lone appearance in the past few weeks. The 30-year-old said his most recent ailment wasn’t related to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), the condition he was diagnosed with after missing extended time last season.
“No, I wouldn’t say it’s the same thing,” Porzingis said. “I just wasn’t feeling too good, honestly. Just not being healthy healthy, you know? But I wouldn’t say it’s the same stuff from last season, so that’s good.
“I think I kind of put that behind me even this summer playing for the (Latvian) national team, but anyway, just catching whatever, it’s frustrating, you know? I want to be healthy. And I will be healthy.”
Porizingis will miss at least six more games beyond Sunday, with his earliest possible return date likely being Dec. 29 at Oklahoma City.
Again. He’s obvsly got some sort of chronic condition. Hawks are going to need another C, let’s be honest.
link to en.wikipedia.org
Prognosis
POTS has a favorable prognosis when managed appropriately. Symptoms improve within five years of diagnosis for many patients, and 60% return to their original level of functioning.
Approximately 90% of people with POTS respond to a combination of pharmacological and physical treatments. Those who develop POTS in their early to mid teens will likely respond well to a combination of physical methods as well as pharmacotherapy. Outcomes are more guarded for adults newly diagnosed with POTS. Some people do not recover, and a few even worsen with time. The hyperadrenergic type of POTS typically requires continuous therapy. If POTS is caused by another condition, outcomes depend on the prognosis of the underlying disorder.
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Obviously this is not ideal for an athlete with a limited window at physical peak. Difficult to envision Porzingis getting more than a Mid-Level 2/20 on a contract once he hits free agency. He’ll likely be a 15-20 minute backup the rest of his career. Similar to bigs like Alonzo Mourning, Bill Walton, etc who had to take smaller roles after career-altering issues.
if his career can continue at all.
His best case would be to find its caused by something else that could be treated.
Get this dude some dayqyil
Anyone who’s had an illness that their doctors just couldn’t figure out knows how frustrating it is. I feel for him.
Somewhat scary … I hope whatever he has, he gets well soon.
Ooof … just saw he has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
Well at least he should have access to the best doctors due to having good money. He has already had physical injuries, no fun if the body is internally letting him down.