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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 09: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

'The Intensity is Insane' – Atlanta Hawks Center Likens EuroBasket to the NBA

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 10:11 AM ET

Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis isn’t spending the offseason relaxing like most NBA players. He’s back in Europe to represent his home country of Latvia at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket tournament. The demonstration games have started, and teams are preparing for the real tournament, which starts on August 27.

The Hawks’ big man and his home country belong in Group A, which includes Portugal, Estonia, Turkey, Serbia and the Czech Republic. Porzingis is excited to face the other countries in the tourney. He even mentioned that Serbia could be the top team that might prove to be a problem for them in their group. They do, after all, include NBA players like Tristan Vukcevic, Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, and Nikola Topic.

However, he didn’t undervalue other countries and thought they might surprise any tournament rivals.

“Everybody can surprise you if you’re not correct on that day. So we just have to be… locked in,” Porzingis said.

The Atlanta Hawks star compared the intensity of competition in the NBA to that of the international scene.

“Every game is life or death, right? Every possession matters, and that’s why it’s so fun for us as players and for the fans. The intensity is insane… but so is the NBA Finals or the NBA playoffs,” Porzingis said.

The 2025 tournament is also significantly special for the 7-foot-2 center. The venue will take place in Riga, the capital of Latvia. Which means the national team will get the support from the fans.

This summer, KP was traded by the Boston Celtics to the Hawks, which is a new chapter in his NBA career. He finished his stint in Boston as a champion, averaging 19.8 points, seven rebounds and 1.8 blocks.

The Atlanta Hawks star wants to fight in MMA after his NBA career

Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) arrives before game two against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

When players retire from the NBA, they usually stay closely connected to the league and the game. Most players shift to being part of the media. But Prozingis is different. The center for the Atlanta Hawks says he is considering a future in mixed martial arts after playing basketball professionally.

“MMA is a sport that is very close to my heart. Number one in terms of viewing. It is something that I am passionate about, which is why I decided to participate in a new MMA project. Everything is still in progress – when we get closer to the final result, I will be able to tell you more,” Porzingis said.

Porzingis also revealed that he had promised the teams that he’s with that he won’t put his body at risk for MMA while he’s playing basketball.

Jan 25, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts on the floor after a play against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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