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Oct 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Oct 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Is Kristaps Porzingis Playing Tonight vs Nets? Latest Update on Hawks Star’s Injury

Originally posted on EssentiallySports | By Rishi Rajpoot | Last updated Oct 29, 2025 4:42 PM ET

The Atlanta Hawks haven’t started the season on a high (1-3), but showed promise in a close 128-123 loss to the undefeated Chicago Bulls on Monday. Now, they head to Brooklyn for the second stop of their four-game road trip. While Atlanta aims to bounce back quickly, the team’s biggest hope is that Kristaps Porzingis can carry his strong form into the matchup against the Nets.

Kristaps Porzingis has already missed two of Atlanta’s first four games due to flu-like symptoms, but he’s good to play for tonight’s matchup. The former Celtics big man looked back to form against the Bulls, erupting for 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting. His dominant performance in Chicago signals that Porzingis is finally regaining his rhythm early in the season.

However, since last season, Porzingis had been held back due to an illness. The Hawks’ Number 8 has revealed that he experienced postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that makes running and activity difficult for him. This was the actual reason why he missed so many games for Boston during the playoffs last season. In fact, even when he did take the floor, the 30-year-old looked like a shell of his old self.

Oct 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots past Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) and forward RJ Barrett (9) in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

“It hit me, and it hit me like a truck,” Porzingis told The Athletic. “The breathing wasn’t good. I did everything I could potentially to feel as good as I could, but my engine wasn’t running the way I wanted.” Nonetheless, it seems like Kristaps Porzingis has finally gotten over it, as he aims to contribute big time for the Hawks this season. So, now that we know all about the seven-foot-two big man’s injury, why don’t we take a look at the other Atlanta stars?

Atlanta Hawks injury report before their matchup vs the Brooklyn Nets

While Kristaps Porzingis looks all but set to suit up tonight, there are a few other Atlanta Hawks players who might miss the game. This includes forward Jalen Johnson. The 23-year-old Hawks star is expected to be a game-day decision for the team. This comes as a result of Johnson suffering from an ankle injury. This could be a massive blow for Atlanta as he is one of the team’s better players and head coach Quin Snyder seems to trust him with a lot of minutes. After all, this season, Johnson is averaging 31 minutes per game.

Johnson has done justice to the time he’s been trusted with on the hardwood. In the three games he’s played this season, the former Duke standout has averaged 19.7 points along with 4 assists and 7 rebounds per game while shooting 56.1 percent from the field. So his absence tonight might be a daunting one for the Hawks. Nonetheless, even though there’s a chance we might see Johnson in action, and if we don’t, Mouhamed Gueye would take his place.

Dec 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) protects the ball from Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The other star on Atlanta’s injury list is Zaccharie Rishacher. The former No. 1 pick is doubtful for tonight’s game after he sprained his right ankle recently, as per ESPN. So there’s a good chance that the Hawks will miss the 20-year-old as well for tonight’s game. Nonetheless, it will be worth watching who they replace him with if that does end up happening. Either way, here’s how we think the Hawks could start against the Nets.

Atlanta Hawks predicted starting lineup vs the Brooklyn Nets

While Kristaps Porzingis is pretty much nailed on the Atlanta Hawks’ starting five, given his availability, there are a few changes that head coach Quin Snyder might have to make, according to the team’s injury report developments. Nonetheless, here’s how we think the Hawks could start tonight’s much-anticipated game.

Position	Player
PG	Trae Young
SG	Dyson Daniels
SF	Zaccharie Risacher (probable)
PF	Jalen Johnson (probable)
C	Kristaps Porzingis

So unsurprisingly, Trae Young is expected to lead the lines for the Hawks tonight. Meanwhile, Dyson Daniels and Kristaps Porzingis will be looking to support the veteran point guard, as the Hawks hope to bounce back from their narrow defeat against the Bulls tonight in Brooklyn.

This article first appeared on EssentiallySports and was syndicated with permission.

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