East Notes: Hawks, Kristaps Porzingis, Heat, Tyler Herro, Hornets

Hawks

Kristaps Porzingis has revealed the mystery illness that left him drained late last season and into the playoffs — and it’s serious.

The Hawks big man told The Athletic’s Fred Katz that he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, a condition that causes the heart to race abnormally when standing or sitting up.

It can lead to severe fatigue and dizziness when untreated.

“You know how people say, ‘Oh, I’m so fatigued,’” Porzingis said. “I’ve never used those words. I don’t even like to speak in those terms, but I really was like that. At that time, I could just lay on the couch and be a house cat.”

Since getting a diagnosis, Porzingis has managed the condition naturally — with a high-salt diet, structured rest, and no medication. He said he’s feeling like himself again.

Porzingis also admitted his offseason trade from Boston to Atlanta came as a surprise.

His agent had been tracking potential deals with the Clippers, Spurs, and Suns — not the Hawks. But he’s embraced his new team.

“We are an aspiring team, a young team that aspires to win a championship one day,” Porzingis said. “Even by the betting odds, we’re not too far off.”

Heat

Tyler Herro didn’t land an extension before the season, but he’s not sweating it.

As The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang reports, Herro said he’ll focus on playing his best basketball and revisit extension talks next summer.

His window to negotiate reopens July 1, 2026, and will stay open until June 30, 2027 — meaning there’s plenty of time.

Hornets

Miles Bridges is still waiting to experience winning basketball in Charlotte and still as motivated as ever.

The Hornets forward, the team’s longest-tenured player, told The Charlotte Observer’s Roderick Boone that he loves the city and wants to reward it.

“Man, I love the city of Charlotte,” Bridges said. “I’m happy to be here. I’m just hoping to reward the city with some wins.

“That’s all I’ve been talking about since I’ve been here. I think this is the year to do it.”

He added that individual numbers mean little to him now.

“I want to actually contribute to winning this year,” he said. “That’s doing what I need to do — defense, rebound and scoring the ball. I feel like I can do it all.”