Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis has been grappling with a persistent illness, which significantly impacted his performance throughout the 2024 season. Despite playing a crucial role in assisting the Celtics to their 18th championship, Porzingis’ journey took a difficult turn due to health challenges. The 7-foot-2 center faced various complications, having been limited to just 18 games this season, a staggering drop from his expected contributions.
In March 2025, Porzingis initially missed eight games due to illness, and his effectiveness waned during the postseason, as evidenced by his averages of 20.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game across 11 playoff games. His shooting struggles included just a 31.6 percent success rate from the field and a dismal 15.4 percent from beyond the arc.
In an in-depth interview with The Athletic in October, Porzingis disclosed that he was coping with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes rapid heart rate and can result in fatigue or dizziness. “You know how people say, ‘Oh, I’m so fatigued.’ I’ve never used those words… but I really was like that,” Porzingis shared, reflecting on his debilitating experience.
The center’s health issues have persisted into the current season, as he has appeared in only 18 games while playing for the Atlanta Hawks and now the Golden State Warriors, the team that acquired him in a recent trade. On February 19, Porzingis had a modest debut with the Warriors, scoring 12 points in 17 minutes during a loss to the Celtics.
Amidst this backdrop, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made controversial remarks during a radio interview, denying the severity of Porzingis’ condition by suggesting it wasn’t related to POTS, but rather an illness that resulted in fluid loss. Kerr later expressed regret for his comments, acknowledging that discussing medical issues was beyond his expertise. “It was a stupid mistake by me… I need to leave that to professionals,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of medical confidentiality and respect for players’ health conditions.
As the Warriors monitor Porzingis’ recovery, fans and teammates alike remain hopeful that he will overcome these challenges and return to form. The NBA community is wishing him strength and a swift recovery, as the focus now shifts towards his health and potential contributions to his new team in the future.