Hawks Sit Kristaps Porzingis Against Lakers Amid Illness Management

The Atlanta Hawks have ruled out forward-center Kristaps Porzingis for Saturday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, citing illness management. The decision comes as the Hawks navigate the second game of a back-to-back set following Friday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Porzingis, who joined Atlanta this offseason, has been managing recovery from flu-like symptoms that sidelined him earlier in the year. The 7-foot-3 forward missed two consecutive games earlier this season but has since returned to regular minutes.

The organization emphasized that the move was precautionary, designed to help Porzingis stay healthy through a long season. It marks another careful step in managing his workload after a stretch of illnesses that disrupted his rhythm last year.

With several key players already sidelined, Atlanta’s decision underscores its focus on long-term health rather than short-term gain as the team continues to navigate early-season challenges.

1. Managing Health After a Difficult Postseason

Porzingis’ absence is particularly notable given his health struggles last postseason. While with the Boston Celtics, the Latvian star battled a severe illness that limited his effectiveness throughout the playoffs. He averaged just 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 21 minutes per game over 11 appearances — a steep drop from his regular-season production. After being traded to the Hawks over the summer, Porzingis used the offseason and training camp to rebuild strength and conditioning. He told reporters he had fully recovered and felt ready to resume playing at a high level. So far this season, Porzingis has been a steady contributor, averaging 17.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. His combination of size, shooting touch, and rim protection has been a critical part of Atlanta’s frontcourt identity. Saturday’s rest, while precautionary, comes as the Hawks look to avoid repeating last year’s health setbacks. With the season still young, ensuring Porzingis remains in peak condition may prove vital to Atlanta’s playoff aspirations.

2. Hawks’ Depth Tested by Injuries

Porzingis’ absence adds to an already depleted Atlanta rotation. Star guard Trae Young remains out for at least a month with a right knee MCL sprain, leaving a major gap in the Hawks’ offensive engine. Reserve guard Luke Kennard will also miss his second straight game due to illness, while Nikola Durisic is sidelined with a right elbow sprain. The Hawks’ lineup uncertainty extends further, with forward Jalen Johnson and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker both listed as questionable after playing through minor injuries in Friday’s loss to Toronto. Johnson is dealing with a right quad contusion, and Alexander-Walker is managing a low back strain. Without several key contributors, the Hawks will rely heavily on their bench and young players to shoulder larger roles against the Lakers. The matchup provides an opportunity for Atlanta’s supporting cast to step up in a nationally spotlighted game. Still, the string of absences underscores the importance of roster depth in a demanding NBA schedule. Managing minutes, maintaining health, and staying competitive have become balancing acts for head coach Quin Snyder and his staff early in the campaign.

3. Looking Ahead Amid Early Challenges

Despite the injuries, Atlanta remains optimistic about its direction. Porzingis has provided the floor spacing and defensive presence the team envisioned when acquiring him, and the coaching staff believes his continued health will be pivotal to any postseason hopes. The Hawks entered Saturday’s contest hoping to stabilize their rhythm after a tough stretch of inconsistent results. With Young out and Porzingis resting, the offense may flow through secondary creators like Dejounte Murray and Saddiq Bey. The focus, however, remains on the long view. Atlanta is prioritizing health management to ensure its stars are available when it matters most later in the season. For Porzingis, Saturday’s absence represents more a precaution than a setback — a sign that both player and franchise are taking the right steps toward sustained success.