Kristaps Porzingis has seen the speculation surrounding his health and the unexplained autoimmune disease he is suffering from.
Porzingis has struggled with availability over the last few years due to injuries, but over the last year, there has been speculation that he’s been away from the court recovering from an unnamed chronic illness.
Some fans have gone too far with their speculation, making unacceptable allegations and claims about his status.
Kristaps Porzingis clarifies health status amid reckless fan speculation
Taking to X, Kristaps Porzingis sent a message to fans about his health and status ahead of the new season and how he is working hard to get back to full health.
It was overall a positive message, but the Golden State Warriors star then took aim at the speculation surrounding his health with a declarative statement.
Porzingis said: “Hello people, I’m working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health ASAP. Honestly, I’m getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon.
“It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it. Health is wealth.
“Thank you for all the support… I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I’m in the best hands. So everyone can relax now. And I don’t have HIV or Aids.”
Many fans had speculated that Porzingis’ unidentified illness was HIV, which is why he was away, as he had to undergo treatment.
Of course, there has been a long-standing stigma against athletes with HIV, and the NBA is no different. In the ’90s, Magic Johnson had to scrap his 1992 comeback to the NBA partly because of player apprehension, as some stars expressed concern about playing against him due to his diagnosis.
Stars like Karl Malone were vocal that they wouldn’t be entirely comfortable sharing a court with Johnson, despite being teammates with him during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
As it comes to Porzingis, he has clarified that he doesn’t have HIV, thus putting an end to the fan speculation surrounding him.
Read more: