Kristaps Porzingis Diagnosed With POTS Impacting Playoffs, Joins Hawks

Kristaps Porzingis was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a chronic cardiovascular condition that increases heart rate upon standing and caused severe fatigue and dizziness, explaining his sudden decline in performance during the 2025 Boston Celtics playoffs. Porzingis described the illness as hitting him "like a truck," with his heart rate spiking to 130 beats per minute upon standing, which made it difficult for him to maintain his usual energy levels and contributed to his limited playoff output. Since his diagnosis, Porzingis has worked with medical professionals to manage the condition through a high-salt diet, rest, and conditioning, allowing him to play in the EuroBasket and preseason with the Atlanta Hawks without major issues. The Hawks acquired Porzingis in a multi-team trade, hoping his health stabilizes so he can contribute to their aspirations as a young, competitive team. POTS is not curable but manageable, and while it poses challenges, it is not expected to be career-ending for Porzingis as he continues his basketball career. The revelation of the diagnosis finally sheds light on the mystery illness that greatly impacted Porzingis during the Celtics' playoff run and provides context for his performance struggles.