Kristaps Porzingis has confirmed he will represent Latvia at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, declaring that only injury could prevent him from suiting up for the national team this summer. The 28-year-old Boston Celtics star made his intentions clear to Sportacentrs.com during a videoconference for international media, when asked about Latvia’s highly anticipated return to EuroBasket, which the country will co-host in Riga from August 27 to September 14. “Whether I want to play for the national team or not – that’s a silly question,” Porzingis said. “The past few summers didn’t work out because I was injured. I’ve never refused the national team. When I haven’t played, it’s because of injuries.” He added: “This summer, I’ll be there! Health is the main thing – then everything else will follow.”
Source: FIBA
Source: FIBA
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
I think the #Magic have some major limitations that’ll make it tough for them to even win one game, but their strengths are ones that can really bother the #Celtics. Porzingis will have mismatches all series. He’ll be the key in making sure this one isn’t close (and JB pace). – 10:46 PM
I think the #Magic have some major limitations that’ll make it tough for them to even win one game, but their strengths are ones that can really bother the #Celtics. Porzingis will have mismatches all series. He’ll be the key in making sure this one isn’t close (and JB pace). – 10:46 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
#Magic #Celtics could be more interesting than many think. Van Gundy make a great point about how drastically Boston’s pace has slowed this year. Brown and Porzingis are going to be critical, along with Tatum’s ability to endure the physicality. – 10:08 PM
#Magic #Celtics could be more interesting than many think. Van Gundy make a great point about how drastically Boston’s pace has slowed this year. Brown and Porzingis are going to be critical, along with Tatum’s ability to endure the physicality. – 10:08 PM
More on this storyline
The Celtics will once again rest their top six players in their last game of the regular season, a Sunday afternoon match-up against the Charlotte Hornets. Jaylen Brown (right knee posterior impingement), Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement), Al Horford (right knee sprain), Kristaps Porzingis (return from illness reconditioning), Jayson Tatum (rest), and Derrick White (right neck sprain) will all sit Sunday, just as they did on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic. -via Celtics Blog / April 12, 2025
“He’s a tough dude,” Porzingis said. “He always preaches his warrior mindset. He lives by it. But to what extent do we need that right now? Maybe he needs to take care of it and make sure he’s going to be ready for the most important moment. I think we need to encourage him to make sure he does everything he needs to prepare to get it healthy and to prepare for what’s going to come.” -via ESPN / April 12, 2025
John Karalis: Celtics injuries vs. Orlando tonight: OUT: Al Horford (knee), Jayson Tatum (ankle), Derrick White (ankle), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Jrue Holiday (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE: Jaylen Brown (knee) -via Twitter @John_Karalis / April 9, 2025