Porzingis Out for First Hawks-Celtics Game Since Trade

Atlanta, GA - Kristaps Porzingis will sit out the Atlanta Hawks' matchup against his former team, the Boston Celtics, on Saturday night, marking the first time the squads have faced each other since a summer trade that sent the center to Atlanta. The Hawks ruled Porzingis out due to left Achilles tendonitis, continuing a season plagued by health issues for the 7-foot-2 veteran.

The injury is Porzingis's fourth consecutive absence, following earlier setbacks including a knee issue at the start of the season and an illness that sidelined him for 10 games last month. He has appeared in only 17 of Atlanta's 43 games this year, averaging 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while coming off the bench. Porzingis, who also dealt with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome during his time in Boston, has spoken about his frustrations with staying healthy. "I just wasn't feeling too good, honestly. Just not being healthy healthy, you know?" he said last month. "But I wouldn't say it's the same stuff from last season... I want to be healthy. And I will be healthy."

The trade that landed Porzingis in Atlanta occurred in July as part of a three-team deal. Boston sent him along with a...