Former Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is opening up about the mysterious illness that derailed his 2025 playoff run.
He has since revealed that he had been battling postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) during last year's playoffs.
Porzingis detailed the impact the condition had on his body and performance during Boston's loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“It hit me like a truck hit me,” Porzingis told The Athletic's Fred Katz. “Not breathing well. I'm trying everything I can to feel good, but my engine isn't running the way I want it to. Sometimes, from lying down to standing, my heart rate goes up to 130 beats per minute. You know what people say, 'Oh, I'm so tired.'” I've never used those words. I don’t even like using those words, but that’s exactly who I am. Then I could lie on the couch and be a house cat. “
POTS causes an abnormal increase in heart rate when standing, often leading to dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Celtics initially listed his condition as “non-COVID,” but head coach Joe Mazzula later admitted the 7-foot-3 center “couldn't breathe” during Game 5 against New York.
Porzingis averaged only 4.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in this series, far below his regular season averages of 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
The 30-year-old, now entering his first season with the Atlanta Hawks, said he is managing the condition under medical supervision and is determined to return to form.
“I want to show that I'm playing at a high level again, that I'm healthy, that I'm everything, and then those things will work themselves out,” Porzingis told The Athletic. “We'll see.”
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