The 2025-26 season is Kristaps Porzingis’ 10th year in the NBA. It is his first with the Hawks. Porzingis was traded to Atlanta via a three-team deal between the Celtics, Hawks, and Nets.
Boston parted ways with the one-time NBA champion to free up future cap space. As a member of the Hawks, Kristaps Porzingis has appeared in 13 of their 25 games. He’s made 12 starts in 2025-26. However, Porzingis has missed 12 games. Friday night vs. the Pistons will be his 13th game missed. This is despite the team having nearly a week off and Porzingis being out on December 6.
Atlanta was given an alarming update regarding Kristaps Porzingis’ health
Porzingis misses 4 games due to “illness”
Plays 1 game
Sits out a 2nd night of a B2B despite a 5 day break following that game
And is now out again for “illness” after said break
— Grant Shirley (@Grant_Shirley4) December 11, 2025
As a member of the Celtics in the 2025 playoffs, Kristaps Porzingis had issues with a lingering illness. The 30-year-old was not at 100% and it limited his effectiveness. During Boston’s postseason run, Porzingis averaged 7.7 points per game. That’s after 19.5 points per game during the regular season. Kristaps Porzingis was clearly not at his best for the Celtics.
Over the summer, Kristaps Porzingis revealed he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Commonly referred to as POTS. It’s an autonomic condition that causes a massive increase in heart rate when someone stands up. Imagine trying to play a basketball game under those conditions. That’s why Porzinigs felt dizzy and was so fatigued in the postseason.
Kristaps Porzingis says the illness that held him out the last 4 games is not related to anything he dealt with last season.
Full quote: pic.twitter.com/PPS2qSTGXJ
— Caleb Johnson (@ATLjohnson18) December 6, 2025
In 2025-26, Kristaps Porzingis has missed 13 games. Seven have been to an illness. That includes six of the Hawks’ last seven games. Porzingis missed four games, played on December 5, and will now miss two consecutive games. Not ideal for the big man early in the year. He’s played 13 and missed 13 games for the Hawks this season.
Last week, Kristaps Porzingis spoke with the media. He stated the illness he’s dealing with in 2025-26 is not the same as last season. That’s promising for Hawks fans. What has Hawks fans worried is that Porzingis is out Friday after the team had nearly a week off. Clearly, he is battling something. Will this be an illness Porzingis will battle all season? The Hawks certainly hope not.
