Kristaps Porzingis Returning From Illness

Warriors big man Kristaps Porzingis has received medical clearance to play in tonight’s game at Oklahoma City, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points (Twitter link). It will mark just the second appearance for Porzingis since he was acquired from Atlanta at last month’s trade deadline.

Coach Steve Kerr expects him to play about 15-20 minutes, relays Anthony Slater of ESPN (Twitter link).

Porzingis has been dealing with a lingering illness that has affected him for much of the season. The first encouraging sign came when he was able to accompany the team on its current road trip, and he was upgraded to questionable after missing Thursday’s game at Houston.

Kerr took an optimistic tone before that contest, telling reporters, “It’s great that he’s here and great that he’s feeling well enough to be on the trip,” per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required).

Golden State traded for Porzingis in hopes of adding some scoring punch to help offset the loss of Jimmy Butler, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Porzingis was held out through the All-Star break before making his Warriors debut in a February 19 loss to Boston. He played 17 minutes and contributed 12 points, one rebound, one assist and one block.

Porzingis’ health issues date back to last season with the Celtics when he began to experience an illness, later identified as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), that sapped his strength. The malady, combined with injury issues, limited him to 17 games with the Hawks before the trade.

Although the Warriors could certainly use a bigger contribution from Porzingis as they fight for playoff position in the West, Draymond Green told Gordon that there’s been no pressure on him to return, either from management or teammates.

“When a guy is hurt or sick or whatever, there is no one around here pressuring you. … We don’t move like that,” Green said. “… When he’s healthy he’ll be out there. We don’t sit around pressuring guys to make them feel this angst that they’ve got to get back out there. You’ll get back when you can get back and we know it.”

Porzingis’ return appears to be the first step as the short-handed Warriors are starting to get healthier again. Kerr said De’Anthony Melton will miss tonight’s game with a knee issue, but should return for Monday’s contest at Utah. Seth Curry, who has only been available for two games all season due to a sciatic nerve-related injury, is expected back Monday or Tuesday. Stephen Curry remains sidelined with runner’s knee and will be reevaluated in a few days.