Kristaps Porzingis to miss two weeks with illness, Trae Young nears return
The Atlanta Hawks are facing a bittersweet reality this week as their roster undergoes a significant shift in star availability. Just as the franchise prepares to welcome back its offensive engine, it loses its marquee offseason acquisition to a lingering and mysterious health issue. The team announced Sunday that center Kristaps Porzingis will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks to undergo further evaluation for an illness that has plagued him throughout early December.
Porzingis, who arrived in Atlanta via a blockbuster three-team trade with the Boston Celtics in June, has already missed seven of the Hawks' last eight contests. His only appearance in that stretch was a promising 25-point performance against the Denver Nuggets on December 5. While the 7-foot-3 center has a complex medical history—including a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) during Boston’s 2024 championship run—he recently emphasized to reporters that this current ailment feels unrelated to his previous condition. The Hawks are prioritizing the big picture, limiting him to non-contact basketball activities while medical staff monitor his recovery to ensure he is fully healthy for the postseason push.
The blow to Atlanta’s frontcourt depth is softened significantly by the imminent return of Trae Young. The All-Star point guard has been out of action since sustaining a right MCL sprain against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29. After nearly two months on the shelf, the team confirmed that Young is ramping up his reconditioning work and is expected to participate in practice this week.
Getting Young back is a massive stabilizing force for a Hawks squad that has managed a respectable 14-12 record despite the attrition. Young led the NBA with a franchise-record 880 assists during the 2024-25 campaign, and his elite playmaking is essential for unlocking the team's perimeter scorers. However, the inability to consistently pair him with Porzingis remains a major frustration for the front office. The vision of a lethal Young-Porzingis pick-and-roll tandem was the driving force behind the summer roster overhaul. For now, Atlanta must continue to tread water in the crowded Eastern Conference, hoping that by January, their two stars can finally share the floor for an extended stretch.
Porzingis, who arrived in Atlanta via a blockbuster three-team trade with the Boston Celtics in June, has already missed seven of the Hawks' last eight contests. His only appearance in that stretch was a promising 25-point performance against the Denver Nuggets on December 5. While the 7-foot-3 center has a complex medical history—including a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) during Boston’s 2024 championship run—he recently emphasized to reporters that this current ailment feels unrelated to his previous condition. The Hawks are prioritizing the big picture, limiting him to non-contact basketball activities while medical staff monitor his recovery to ensure he is fully healthy for the postseason push.
The blow to Atlanta’s frontcourt depth is softened significantly by the imminent return of Trae Young. The All-Star point guard has been out of action since sustaining a right MCL sprain against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29. After nearly two months on the shelf, the team confirmed that Young is ramping up his reconditioning work and is expected to participate in practice this week.
Getting Young back is a massive stabilizing force for a Hawks squad that has managed a respectable 14-12 record despite the attrition. Young led the NBA with a franchise-record 880 assists during the 2024-25 campaign, and his elite playmaking is essential for unlocking the team's perimeter scorers. However, the inability to consistently pair him with Porzingis remains a major frustration for the front office. The vision of a lethal Young-Porzingis pick-and-roll tandem was the driving force behind the summer roster overhaul. For now, Atlanta must continue to tread water in the crowded Eastern Conference, hoping that by January, their two stars can finally share the floor for an extended stretch.
