Kristaps Porzingis said that representing Latvia at EuroBasket 2025 played a key role in helping him recover physically and mentally from an injury-plagued NBA season.
The 7-foot-3 forward described the tournament as “crucial” in proving to himself that he was fully healthy again after missing significant time with a retinaculum injury.
“It was crucial for me, just to finish the season that way,” Porzingis said, via HoopsHype. “Having the opportunity to play at home in front of our home crowd and having a good showing — being back in shape — was like an approval to myself that everything’s fine, health is good, and I can keep going.”
Porzingis underwent surgery on June 27, 2024, and was sidelined for more than five months, missing the start of the 2024–25 NBA season. He made his return on November 25, 2024, recording 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in Boston’s 126–94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite contributing to the Celtics’ 2024 championship run, Porzingis was traded the following summer. On July 7, 2025, Boston finalized a three-team deal that sent him and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks, while Georges Niang joined the Celtics and Terance Mann was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
Before his move to Atlanta, Porzingis took part in EuroBasket 2025, averaging 20.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across six games. His most dominant performance came in the Round of 16 against Lithuania, where he posted 34 points and 19 rebounds. Overall, he shot 46.8 percent from the field and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line during the tournament.
The Latvian big man emphasized how much the home atmosphere contributed to his renewed motivation. Playing in front of Latvian fans allowed him to find rhythm and regain competitive edge after a difficult year filled with setbacks.
For Porzingis, EuroBasket was more than an international tournament — it served as confirmation that his health and confidence had fully returned. “It was like an approval to myself,” he said. “Everything’s fine, health is good, and I can keep going.”
