Rumors

Dairis Bertans, a former Pelicans player, re-signed with Latvian team VEF Riga for the 2025-26 season.

HoopsHype

Jay King: Brad Stevens said the way Kristaps Porzingis’ illness was described to him was as “post-viral syndrome.” Said playoff basketball was not conducive to helping him feel better. Thinks Porzingis will be aided by a couple of weeks of rest but thinks it will be “well cleared up” by the time he plays for Latvia in Eurobasket.

Twitter

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."

FIBA

With minutes remaining in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament game between Latvia and Cameroon, news came out about Latvia's Davis Bertans getting waived by the Charlotte Hornets. The player offered his reaction to the news. .... "All I can say is that I don't really care right now. My main focus is right there with this jersey on. You know, in a way, I'm really happy that this right now is the only jersey that I wear," Bertans said mysteriously.

BasketNews

Jared Weiss: Brad Stevens says Kristaps Porziņģis will have surgery soon and they will have a timeline for recovery from there. He is still consulting with doctors on the treatment plan. He will miss the Olympics because he needs surgery now to be able to recover back to playing condition.

Twitter

Cameron Tabatabaie: Celtics announce Kristaps Porzingis will undergo surgery “in the coming days” to deal with his foot injury Full press release:

Twitter

Jorge Sierra: Three new countries with an NBA champion: Dominican Republic (Al Horford), Latvia (Kristaps Porzingis) and Portugal (Neemias Queta). 🇩🇴🇱🇻🇵🇹 Welcome to the club.

Twitter

Heading to the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments draw, FIBA confirmed the hosting countries on Monday. Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico and Spain will play at home, seeking a ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games.

EuroHoops.net

BasketNews: Greece, Spain, Latvia, and Puerto Rico are expected host countries for the upcoming 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, per @Urbodo 👀 pic.twitter.com/xB0FtDmQlb

Twitter

“It was very tough,” he recalled being ruled out from the World Cup held in Asia during the offseason, “The day I made the decision, not me, as a group we made a decision. I had to tell the coach that I was not going to be able to play. It was very tough.” “It has not bothered me at all,” he added on his current health status, following the international competition and heading to the NBA Regular Season, “The medical staff did an incredible job of loading slowly. I wanted to go right away as soon as I got here to play pick-up the first day. But they held me back a little bit. I listened to them and it’s been going perfect, ready for training camp and ready to go.”

EuroHoops.net

Clutch Points: Latvia handles Lithuania to take home 5th place at the FIBA World Cup 🔥 Arturs Kurucs: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 6-of-10 3PT Arturs Zagars: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 17 assists (FIBA World Cup record) pic.twitter.com/lxL7AoQcEe

Twitter

Donatas Urbonas: Arturs Zagars 🇱🇻 set the new FIBA World Cup record with the most assists in a single game – 16. This record has been held by Toni Kukoc since 1994, and Carlik Jones tied that number this year (15). 📊 Opta Stats

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Dennis Schroder experienced a forgettable night in the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup 2023, but his 4-of-26 shooting performance didn't prevent Germany from securing an 80-78 victory over Latvia, propelling them into the semifinals. "I probably had the worst game of my career. But we still found the way to win the game," Schroder admitted after the win. "I'm proud of my guys who stepped up from the bench. The starters. Franz Wagner, especially. Mo Wagner... Everybody stepped up," he added.

BasketNews

When asked how he coped with the challenge of a poor shooting night, Schroder revealed that he focused on maintaining a positive mentality to support his teammates. "I just tried to stay positive. At the end of the day, if you make or miss shots, you can't control that. But what you can control is to be positive. Still, talk to your teammates as a leader and captain. I can't fall into a bad mood. I'm just happy for everybody else stepping up, and happily, we won the game."

BasketNews