The Atlanta Hawks will face the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference clash on Saturday night, but they will once again be without a key piece of their lineup. Veteran big man Kristaps Porzingis remains sidelined due to illness, continuing a frustrating absence for the team and its fans.
Health Takes Priority for Porzingis and Hawks
The primary concern for the Atlanta Hawks is the long-term health of Kristaps Porzingis. The player has been managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), an autonomic nervous system disorder that causes symptoms like exhaustion and dizziness. This condition was diagnosed last season.
However, the team has clarified that his current absence is due to a separate, general illness. Management hopes this issue will be resolved soon. While his POTS treatment showed positive results over the summer, this new illness is an unrelated and annoying setback. The Hawks are firmly focused on a full recovery, with his general well-being being the top priority for the season.
A Cautious Path Back to the Court
According to reports from ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Porzingis will be listed as day-to-day following Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which he will also miss. Sources indicate the Hawks are planning a very careful reintegration process once he is cleared to play.
This plan likely involves monitoring his minutes closely and potentially bringing him off the bench initially to ease him back into game action. His return would affect the rotation, likely reducing minutes for backups like Mouhamed Gueye and Onyeka Okongwu. The earliest possible return date is now Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Impact of the Absence
Porzingis's absence is significant. He has missed 12 of Atlanta's last 13 games, leaving a substantial hole in both their offense and defense. Acquired from the Boston Celtics in the offseason, he has been a productive force when available.
In his 13 appearances this season, Porzingis has averaged 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks in just 25.9 minutes per game. His absence comes as the Hawks look to improve on their 15-17 record, following a home loss to the Miami Heat on Friday.
The team's injury report also includes N'Faly Dante, who is out with an ACL tear. As the Hawks navigate this challenging period, all eyes will be on Porzingis's health updates, with the team and fans hoping for a swift and sustainable return of their star player.
