Kristaps Porzingis: A Season of Challenges
Throughout the latter part of last season and into the playoffs, Kristaps Porzingis faced challenges due to a mysterious illness that negatively impacted his performance. Limited to just 42 games, he struggled mightily during the postseason, posting an average of 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds, with his shooting percentage plummeting to 31.6%. This sharp decline is reflected in his Player Efficiency Rating (PER), which dropped from an impressive 19.6 during the 2024 championship run to a concerning 11.3 in the most recent playoffs.
Optimism for the Future
In a recent interview with Latvia’s Sports Studija, Porzingis expressed optimism, stating that he feels revitalized and is eager to represent Latvia in the upcoming EuroBasket tournament before joining the Atlanta Hawks this coming season.
“I feel fantastic, honestly. After the season, I took some time off to recuperate. There were lingering effects during the playoffs, including fatigue and dizziness, which sometimes made me feel faint. It was troubling,”
he recounted.
He added,
“However, after taking a full month of June to rest and reduce my training intensity, those symptoms have vanished, and I feel ready to compete at a high level with my national team.”
Joining the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks revamped their roster during the offseason, acquiring Porzingis in hopes that he can serve as both a rim protector and a reliable pick-and-roll partner for star guard Trae Young. Porzingis acknowledges the team’s expectations and emphasizes his commitment to adapting to their system.
“I’ve always been a versatile player capable of fitting into various systems, but my ability to adapt has improved with experience. I now read defenses with greater clarity and make quicker decisions on the court,”
he explained.
Aiming for a Strong Rebound
What’s crucial is that Porzingis appears to have regained his health and is aiming for a strong rebound after a challenging previous season, where he managed to average 19.5 points per game during the regular play. If he can replicate that efficiency, the Hawks could emerge as a significant contender in a relatively weakened Eastern Conference.
