Former All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis is looking forward to a fresh start. He was an essential part of the Boston Celtics winning the NBA championship in 2024; however, his time with the team came to an abrupt end.

One of the biggest stories surrounding the Celtics’ trade of Porzingis is his mysterious illness, which impacted his performance in last year’s playoffs. A new report sheds some light on what Porzingis was going through.

Kristaps Porzingis On Missing Last Year’s NBA Playoffs

NBA insider Fred Katz reports that Porzingis was dealing with playing through POTS during last year’s playoffs. POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, is a condition that causes a spike in heart rate when someone stands or sits upright. Some of the significant side effects include fatigue and blurred vision.

Katz said, ” In his worst moments, Porzingis’ heart rate could stabilize while he was lying down, but the act of standing up could rev it to 130 beats per minute.” Katz added that “Porzingis and his doctors know how to manage POTS, and it’s without the need for any special medication.”

The Celtics acquired Porzingis during the off-season in 2023 as part of a huge three-team trade. He averaged 20.1 points per game on 51.6% shooting during his first season with the Celtics, when he became the first Latvian player to win an NBA championship. He averaged 19.5 points per game last season, including shooting a career high 41.2% from three.

However, Porzingis’ health issues completely derailed his performance in last year’s playoffs. He averaged 7.7 points per game on 31.6% shooting from the field and 15.4% shooting from three. His numbers in the season-ending series loss to the New York Knicks were even worse: 4.2 points per game on 24% shooting.

The Celtics put Porzingis on the trade block during the off-season in what was widely considered a salary cap move. The team wanted to avoid paying the second apron tax in what was potentially a down season with All-NBA wing Jayson Tatum rehabbing a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

Katz revealed that the Atlanta Hawks acted aggressively to acquire Porzingis, finalizing a deal within 48 hours. Porzingis could be a free agent at the end of the season and is not worried about signing an extension right now. He wants to show the league that his performance in last year’s playoffs was a health-related fluke.

WE BACK. pic.twitter.com/ExpkkNhogj

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 22, 2025

While Porzingis could be an ideal fit next to All-Star point guard Trae Young because of his deep shooting, the Hawks really coveted his potential defensive impact. Porzingis has a career average of 1.8 blocks per game, and his ability to alter shots should help the Hawks improve a defense that allowed 119.4 points per game last year, which ranked 28th in the NBA.