TITLE: Porzingis to Sit Minimum of Two Weeks as Hawks Monitor Illness
SLUG: porzingis-out-two-weeks-hawks-illness
CONTENT:
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks announced Sunday that center Kristaps Porzingis will be held out for at least the next two weeks while doctors assess a recent illness.
The organization said the 7-foot-3 big man will remain on a restricted workload during the evaluation period, emphasizing that his long-term health is the primary concern. Porzingis has appeared in only two of the club’s last nine contests and has been unavailable for 10 of 14 games since Nov. 13.
Porzingis, 30, was diagnosed last season with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) while playing for the Boston Celtics. After working with physicians over the summer, he began the current campaign saying he felt healthy, but the recent setback forced the Hawks to keep him off the court.
In 13 games this season, Porzingis is averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. His presence is viewed as vital for an Atlanta squad aiming for a postseason berth in the Eastern Conference. A year ago in Boston’s playoff run, he was limited to 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 21 minutes across 11 games due to health issues.
The frontcourt absence adds to the Hawks’ injury concerns. All-Star guard Trae Young has been sidelined since spraining the MCL in his right knee Oct. 29 against the Brooklyn Nets. The team said Young is expected to rejoin practice later this week.
Atlanta will re-evaluate Porzingis in two weeks before determining the next steps.
Source: ESPN
