News that has sent shockwaves through the NBA world broke on Friday, as Kristaps Porziņģis announced his decision to step away from active play in order to focus on addressing the health issues he has been dealing with.
The 31-year-old Latvian center for the Golden State Warriors is dealing with issues related to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that has significantly impacted his playing time and has prevented him from returning to the court this season.
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He announced his decision via a social media post, explaining that, despite his desire to play regularly with his new team, his body did not respond as he had hoped.
“I was really looking forward to playing this season with this team, but as I started to pick up the pace, my body didn’t respond as I’d hoped. I’m fine, but I know what’s required, and right now I’m not at the level I’d like to be to perform up to my own expectations. At this point, I’ve decided to prioritize my health and step away from the sport I love,” he said.
Kristaps Porziņģis was born on August 2, 1995, in Liepāja, Latvia, and began his professional career in 2012 with Sevilla in Spain. His talent quickly stood out; in 2015, he won the EuroCup Rising Star award and was selected fourth overall in the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.
In New York, he established himself as one of the league’s top talents, earning a spot in the 2018 All-Star Game. He then played for the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Boston Celtics, with whom he won the NBA championship in 2024. He then played for the Atlanta Hawks and, starting in February 2026, the Golden State Warriors.
On an individual level, Porziņģis averaged 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game over his NBA career, in 533 regular-season appearances. His most productive season was 2022–23 with the Washington Wizards, when he averaged 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, with a 49.8% field goal percentage.
During the 2025–26 season, playing for the Hawks and the Warriors, he averaged 16.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Standing 2.18 m tall and with a career 3-point field goal percentage of 36.4%, he was one of the most distinctive big men in the modern NBA, combining the size of a traditional center with the skill of a perimeter shooter. His nickname, “The Unicorn,” perfectly captures this unique playing style
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) November 6, 2026
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*photo source: AP
