It has been a harrowing season for Kristaps Porzingis. Really, it began in the final months of his tenure with the Boston Celtics. He dealt with the autonomic condition, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, otherwise known as POTS. That sapped his energy and left the former All-Star a shell of himself in the playoffs.
He recently missed 10 games while battling an illness. That sparked concerns about whether he was still dealing with POTS, and what it could mean for his career if it had returned.
Fortunately, after turning the corner, health-wise, he got the green light to rejoin the Atlanta Hawks' lineup. Back where he belongs, Porzingis wasted no time in reminding everyone of the impact he can make at both ends of the court.
The seven-foot-two center generated 16 points in 17 minutes. Porzingis made six of his 12 field goal attempts, including two of his four tries from behind the arc. The former fourth overall pick registered a plus-22 plus-minus rating. His performance helped the Hawks earn a 126-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kristaps Porzingis's journey back to the hardwood
After a disappointing end to his time with the Celtics, when the offseason arrived, it appeared like he had put those troubles in the rearview mirror. Porzingis performed well at EuroBasket, where he got the chance to represent his home country, Latvia.
When the current NBA campaign commenced, the tenth-year center validated why Atlanta was eager to acquire him. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks in the Hawks' first 13 games this season. He also converted on 36.4 percent of the 5.1 threes he hoisted.
And despite the concerns that arose when illness struck again, he maintained that this situation was not the return of what he dealt with at the end of last season.
"No, I wouldn't say it's the same thing," Porzingis told local reporters earlier in December. "I just wasn't feeling too good, honestly. Just not being healthy, healthy, you know? But I wouldn't say it's the same stuff from last season, so that's good.
"I think I kind of put that behind me, even this summer playing for the national team, but anyway, just catching whatever, it's frustrating, you know? I want to be healthy. And I will be healthy."
After a productive return to the court, Porzingis shared that he continued to train while battling his most recent illness.
"Honestly, I kept working out," he conveyed. "I didn't completely step away from everything but took a step back and kept somewhat in shape, lifting, doing basketball workouts, etc. I let my system get to a spot I needed to and then ramped up a little bit. Tonight, I felt good."
His performance helped improve Atlanta's record to 16-19. The Hawks are clinging to the tenth seed in the Eastern Conference. That's the last spot in the play-in tournament. They're also not far from hosting the Celtics on Jan. 17. That will be Porzingis's first chance to face the team he helped hoist an NBA title.