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ESPN Staff Writer- Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis will remain out for Monday's game at Oklahoma City Thunder but is nearing a return and will be listed as day-to-day moving forward, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
Porzingis has been out for the past two weeks, but the Hawks said the center has been progressing in his recovery from an illness. He will not travel to Oklahoma City with the Hawks, who lost their sixth straight game against the New York Knicks on Saturday.
The Hawks will be even more short-handed against the defending champion Thunder. Jalen Johnson was ruled out for Monday's game due to illness. And Trae Young (right quad contusion) is listed as questionable.
A return by Porzingis -- who is averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 13 games this season -- would give some much-needed size to Atlanta (15-18).
While with the Boston Celtics last season, the veteran big man was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Porzingis and his doctors found solutions over the summer to manage his health, and he entered this season saying he felt good and confident he was past what ailed him.
Porzingis was slowed severely last season and averaged just 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 21 minutes in 11 playoff games for the Celtics.
