Celtics' former NBA champion discloses odd illness during tenure in Boston

The Boston Celtics have had to make some tough choices over the 2025 offseason so far, and one of choices resulted in the team dealing their star big man, Kristaps Porzingis, to the Atlanta Hawks.

Porzingis, an All-Star in 2018 with the New York Knicks, was also a part of the Celtics' 2024 championship team.

However, in the championship defense that following season, Porzingis saw his time on the court fluctuate due to an odd illness that kept the Latvian giant off the hardwood. 

After all, the 7'2 center started the 2024-25 season on the shelf following surgery to repair a retinaculum injury and didn't make his season debut until late November. 

Porzingis would open up about his illness with Chris Forsberg of NBCS Boston, citing dizziness and fatigue as parts of this mysterious sickness. 

"I feel fantastic, to be honest. I took time to rest after the season. Something was lingering during the playoffs, I had fatigue, dizziness, and even moments where I felt like I might faint. It wasn't great," the 2015 draft pick said. "In June, I fully rested and lowered the intensity. All of that has gone away. I haven't felt any of the symptoms anymore. I feel great and ready to join the national team. Super happy."

Of course, the big man obviously referring to his native Latvian national team in the EuroBasket 2025 tournament. 

Porzingis and the rest of the Hawks will hope that the fourth overall pick a decade ago will truly be cured of whatever was really bogging him down before the season tips off in late October.