Kristaps Porzingis, the Atlanta Hawks’ towering 7’3 forward fresh off winning an NBA championship with Boston, has revealed plans to pursue a career in mixed martial arts after basketball. During a recent interview, Porzingis expressed his intention not only to transition into MMA eventually but to actively prepare his body for this new path well before retiring from the NBA.
This announcement came just ahead of a friendly international game in Latvia where Porzingis would face Slovenia, marking his first European matchup against former Dallas Mavericks teammate Luka Doncic since 2017. The timing of this reveal added an intriguing layer to an already anticipated contest.
The Complex History Between Porzingis and Doncic
The Porzingis-Doncic partnership once symbolized Dallas Mavericks’ high hopes for championship success, but injuries and conflicting playing styles led to a disappointing outcome. Off-court rumors, including Chandler Parsons‘ remarks on The Pat McAfee Show that
Luka did not like playing with him
—Chandler Parsons, Former NBA Player, stoked tension. Although both stars have since minimized these reports, the narrative has lingered in public discourse.
Since departing Dallas, Porzingis has had stops in New York, Washington, Boston—where he captured the 2024 NBA title—and now Atlanta, while Doncic’s move to the Los Angeles Lakers represented a significant shift in the league’s landscape. Dallas Mavericks now center their rebuilding efforts around Anthony Davis, signaling a new chapter for all involved.
Porzingis’ MMA Aspirations Signal a New Phase
Porzingis’ recent statements reflect a deliberate and serious mindset shift toward life after basketball. In an interview highlighted by Essentially Sports, he made clear his commitment:
I’m saving myself so I can start an MMA career after basketball,
—Kristaps Porzingis, NBA Player. At age 30, he is already focused on a transition to martial arts, combining physical preparation with a strategic vision for his athletic future.
Despite his long-term plans, he remains fully engaged in his current role. The upcoming friendly match could reveal the competitive fire he still carries. Porzingis and Doncic may engage in cordial exchanges ahead of tip-off, but once the game begins, neither is known for holding back.
The Evolving Rivalry and What Fans Can Expect
Porzingis previously acknowledged Luka Doncic‘s reputation for elevating his game on big stages. Speaking before the NBA Finals in June, he remarked,
He’s one of the best players and he’s going to bring it, so we have to be ready,
—Kristaps Porzingis, NBA Player. Both now lead different franchises, with Doncic as the Lakers’ flagship star and Porzingis as a championship-tested cornerstone for the Hawks.
The friendly match in Riga offers more than just a routine exhibition. It presents a rare reunion filled with underlying competitive tension and history. For fans, this game will showcase two careers that once merged, diverged, and now intersect again, promising an intense and unpredictable encounter.