Hawks Star Says He Feels Great After Battling Illness Throughout Playoffs

While speaking on a podcast this week, Kristaps Porzingis said that he is fully recovered from the mystery illness that hampered him during the 2025 playoffs 

The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship in 2024 and Porzingis was a big part of that. His ability to shoot the ball opened the floor for the offense and his ability to block shots protected the rim on defense. 

During their second-round playoff series against the Knicks, the Celtics were largely without the Latvian center, as he was suffering from an illness. The Knicks took advantage of Porzingis' absence and won the series.

After star Jayson Tatum was injured during the Knicks series, the Celtics reset their team, trading away Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. 

Porzingis recently appeared on Latvia's Sport Studija and talked both about the illness and his excitement to join the Hawks. He said during the broadcast: 

"I feel fantastic, to be honest. 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 center continued, "In June, I fully rested and lowered the intensity. All of that has gone away. I haven't felt any of the playoff symptoms anymore. I feel great and ready to join the national team." 

Porzingis is such a unique player that he is sure to improve the Hawks’ offense when he is on the court. That could make the Hawks, who also boast Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, and Jalen Johnson, a very tough team to beat.