After an extended absence due to illness, Kristaps Porzingis is finally set to make his return soon. Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN reported that the Latvian seven-footer will miss Monday’s matchup against the Thunder, but will be listed as day-to-day moving forward.
This is the news Atlanta Hawks fans have desperately been waiting for. Porzingis has missed the past nine games and 13 of the last 14 games due to the illness he is battling, which reportedly is not related to his POTS diagnosis that was reported in October. As you would expect, the Hawks have struggled mightily in his absence.
The Hawks are on a six-game losing streak and are 2-10 in December. The poor performance was fueled by a series of horrific paint performances, allowing teams to score and rebound at will.
Atlanta’s only healthy alternative to Porzingis at the five is Onyeka Okongwu, who is 6’8. While Okongwu has done a remarkable job proving he is indeed a center despite his stature, you just can’t expect to be a serious NBA team with only one center who is critically undersized.
Porzingis will instantly solve the Hawks’ greatest weaknesses
The Hawks simply lack size. While there are other holes in the roster, their lack of reliable options at the four and five has been what has held them back this season.
The Hawks have had a truly horrid defense this month, and it starts at the paint. The team has allowed over 80% shooting at the cup in three of the Hawks’ 12 games this month. To make matters worse, there is no semblance of rim deterrence. Teams are shooting 40% of their shots at the rim in December, which is in the bottom 16th percentile of the league.
When teams get to the rack with ease and finish at an above-average rate, it is nearly impossible to win. Porzingis has his faults on the floor, and he will continue to miss games to injury and illness. But Atlanta has playoff aspirations when their star center is healthy, and they have fallen to the bottom of the Play-In in his absence.
The evidence is clear: the Hawks are not a competitive team with only one center on the squad. Fortunately for fans, it seems likely that Porzingis will make his long-awaited return this week.
This news couldn’t come at a better time either, as the Hawks are in the midst of a holiday season gauntlet, facing seven playoff teams and two title contenders. Porzingis’s return could be the boost the Hawks need to get a much-needed win over serious competition.