Kristaps Porzingis says he’s feeling like himself again after battling through a mysterious illness that plagued his postseason run with the Celtics.
Speaking with Sports Studija in Latvia, the 7-footer opened up about his condition and his outlook heading into the new season with the Atlanta Hawks.
“I feel fantastic, to be honest,” Porzingis told BasketNews.com. “I took time to rest after the season. Something was lingering during the playoffs – I had fatigue, dizziness, even moments where I felt like I might faint. It wasn’t great.”
The issue, initially unexplained, was later identified as post-viral syndrome – something he says has now fully subsided.
“In June, I fully rested and lowered the intensity. All of that has gone away,” he said. “I haven’t felt any of the playoff symptoms anymore. I feel great and ready to join the national team. Super happy.”
Porzingis is set to rejoin Latvia’s national team for the upcoming EuroBasket tournament before reporting to training camp with Atlanta. His $30.7 million contract expires after the 2025 season, but he’s eligible for an extension.
Whether or not he remains in Atlanta long-term, he’s optimistic about what he can bring.
“I think expectations are high. Atlanta’s been on the edge of the playoffs the last few years, sometimes getting through the first round,” he said. “It’s a great situation for me to come in and contribute. Maybe even better than Boston, where it was championship or bust.”
The trade from Boston didn’t come as a shock to Porzingis. After Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tear in the playoffs, the Celtics looked to move salary. The player saw the writing on the wall.
“After the season, I spoke to my agent and kind of expected that one or more of us would be traded,” he said. “For a while, I thought I might end up with the Spurs, but then Atlanta came in – and that was a nice surprise. It was out of my hands.”
Now with the Hawks – who also added Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard this offseason – Porzingis is confident he can blend in quickly and make an impact.
“I’ve always been a player who can fit into any system, but now I adapt faster,” he said. “I read defenses better and make quicker decisions. That comes with experience.”
In 42 games, the big man averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks, shooting 48.3% from the field, 41.2% from three, and 80.9% at the line.
Kristaps Porzingis is no longer affected by the illness that lingered through the playoffs: https://t.co/SapUtL80GQ pic.twitter.com/K7Cxk0NLrq
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 30, 2025
