When Kristaps Porzingis is on the court, it’s impossible to miss the lengthy big man who can seemingly do it all. But availability has been the issue throughout his career, and that’s been the case again in his brief Hawks tenure.
The Hawks have gotten off to a strong start at 9-6, looking like a potential playoff team in the East. But Porzingis missed his third straight game Tuesday in their loss to the Pistons due to right knee soreness. The big man has played in nine out of Atlanta’s 15 total games as an illness earlier this year also forced him to sit a few games.
Celtics fans have seen those availability issues slow down the talented big man. Last season, he missed the opening weeks of the year coming off foot surgery. That operation was needed because he suffered the foot injury in the 2024 NBA Finals. Then the illness, later diagnosed as POTS, slowed him down during the regular season and playoffs.
Porzingis has contributed for the Hawks when he does play. He’s averaging 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in his nine games, though he’s shooting just 31.1% on 3-pointers. The Hawks traded for Porzingis from the Celtics in a win-now move, hoping the big man could help boost them in the standings.
What the Hawks do going forward is a major question mark as they’re in the thick of the East race to open the season. Star guard Trae Young has been sidelined since Oct. 29 due a sprained MCL. Despite the injury, the Hawks responded by going 8-3 and having a stellar defense in his absence. Young’s offensive skillset is obvious, but the Hawks have leaned on their defense to open the season.
How Porzingis also fits into the equation is worth monitoring going forward. He’s on an expiring $30.7 million contract, meaning he’s a free agent next summer. But the Hawks have gotten production from big man Onyeka Okongwu to open the year. So how Porzingis fits going forward is a factor, along with if he can stay healthy.
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