Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is optimistic he’ll be able to play more often to close the 2025/26 season, writes Anthony Slater of ESPN. After missing six games because of an illness, the Latvian big man returned to action on Saturday against Oklahoma City, finishing with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and a block in 23 minutes.
“I believe I will be healthy now,” Porzingis said. “This is what I really feel. Not to sell anything because I’ve been in and out, out again. But this time, I really feel this is it.”
Porzingis’ health issues date back to last season with the Celtics when he contracted a virus that limited his availability down the stretch. He told The Athletic prior to this season that he was eventually diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The malady, combined with injury issues, limited him to 17 games with the Hawks before he was traded to Golden State last month.
“Especially getting traded somewhere else, I wanted to get out there as soon as possible,” Porzingis said. “Sitting out a couple games was stinging me a little bit. Today was OK. Feeling a little heavy, shot not in a good rhythm yet.”
As Slater notes, head coach Steve Kerr caused a stir last week when he said he was told Porzingis didn’t have POTS, calling it “misinformation.” Kerr later called it a “stupid mistake” to talk about Porzingis’ health.
“It wasn’t ideal,” Porzingis said of Kerr’s mix-up. “Because it put something out again, so people start talking again. I told Steve it was OK. I know he didn’t mean anything, didn’t want to create hype around my health. He just said what he knew at the moment.”
Veteran forward/center Draymond Green complimented Porzingis after Saturday’s loss, tweets Nick Friedell of The Athletic.
“The game’s a lot easier when he’s on the floor,” Green said.
Here’s more from the Pacific:
- Appearing on 95.7 FM’s Willard and Dibs show, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. explained his rationale for acquiring Porzingis, as Will Simonds of NBC Sports Bay Area relays. “I think the thought process for us on the trade was the opportunity to get a player of his quality, who, when healthy, is pretty good, pretty unique,” Dunleavy said in part. “Like, what he can do on the defensive end, what he can do on the offensive end. And then we had to calculate what we thought the ability and the chances of him being healthy and playing a bunch for us. We felt pretty good about that. We still do.” Porzingis is expected to play on Tuesday against Chicago after sitting out Monday’s loss at Utah.
- Clippers big man Isaiah Jackson is getting an opportunity to play after Yanic Konan Niederhauser was ruled out for the season due to a foot injury, per Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. Head coach Tyronn Lue was pleased with Jackson’s performance after Saturday’s road victory in Memphis, when the the 24-year-old had 12 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a block in 25 minutes. “Just how he plays hard. He plays hard and competes,” Lue said of Jackson, whom the Clippers acquired last month in a trade with Indiana. “He’s a guy that can switch and guard the basketball, offensive rebound, runs the floor, and can get behind the defense on pick-and-rolls. Tonight, like I said, it was just a game for him, and we needed his athleticism and his ability to switch. He did a good job for us.”
- Suns forward Rasheer Fleming hasn’t played much as a rookie this season, but the 31st overall pick in last year’s draft capitalized on his opportunity during Sunday’s win over Charlotte, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Fleming had a career-high 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting in a career-high 23 minutes off the bench. “It was super impressive,” star guard Devin Booker said. “Just the willingness to wait for his moment and seize it. He’s still all ears and he still wants to learn more. He’s got a big effect on winning basketball games.“
Good one Steve. Not like it was some hidden secret. Best get Giants and the Warriors medical staff on it asap. Afterwards we’ll also get the same medical staff to part the seas and get to the bottom of the escape from alcatraz. S**t, they might even find oil.
Steve go get stuffed with this make the season shorter stuff too. You only won’t that because you’re done. The league, the owners, the younger players most definitely don’t want this. I’m starting to see why MJ punched this guy in the face.
Are you Davey’s alter ego.
Nah, I know ball.
Really no point in over-critiquing/bashing anyone on a team besieged by injuries all around the same time with no rotation stability, Nrg82. If a similar situation was happening to one of Brawny Senior’s teams, I’d even be pretty quick to ease off the gas pedal. Can’t blame him for 2015 or 2018 – different story though with 2008-11, 2014, 2017, borderline 2019 (what a way to be a mentor to the young guys, right?), 2021 (worst demeanor ever by a superstar in a playoff series), 2022, and borderline 2024-25 seasons. Otherwise, pretty stellar resumé from the guy.
Somebody is in a bad mood. What’s wrong Sparky?
he is a kings fan so he has to wake up everyday knowing his team is one of the worst team’s in the NBA and will not be good for the next 5 years.
He’s a Celtics fan. Not sure how you’re on here everyday and don’t know that.
Everyday I gain more and more joy watching your narratives crumble btw. The dark times are upon you Arc. I hope Davey brought blankets.
No dark times for me. But you will have years of dark times trying to find that switch to light up the sky. Do the kings even do that anymore?
Humm…What virus did he get that caused the POTS? Some viruses linger. Hopefully, they have it under control. Trades can’t be judged by what initially happens. It always takes time for the full impact.
I’m not sure but that’s a good question man! The internet says it was a very bad upper respiratory infection. Maybe the Covid-19 variant 1000000000xMetaDavey3.9 got him
I wonder what virus caused the POTS? Some viruses can linger. Trades can’t be judged on their initial effects. It takes awhile for there full impact.
What’s that matter? Changes absolutely nothing.
How do you know this?
Know what? Imagining how another man has been diagnosed with POTS. what’s that change for the Warriors and Kristaps? Absolutely nothing because here it is regardless. Only been a good couple of years now and you traded for him.
No known cures my man. NONE. I’m not sure how you can’t get that.
Other athletes have been diagnosed with POTS and have still succeeded. Why can’t Kristaps?
OMG Really….because it’s going oh so well since diagnosis isn’t it. What part of NO KNOWN CURE don’t you understand? You can learn to live with it at best. Obviously everyone is different too.
Other athletes like Roman Josi in the NHL? He’s missed 60 games the last 2 season(since his diag)
None of the other athletes with POTS that have had any post diagnosis success are over 6’2”.
Only fools trade for damaged goods. In the end they dumped JK and Buddy salary. KP is finished. He is looking for one last contract. That nobody will give him.
Last year Mikal Bridges led the NBA in mins played. Wasn’t even close lols. Bridges 3,036 total mins. At 2nd was SGA at 2,484. Bridges first yr in NY was a success. I gave him a B ….. ok
This yr he has regressed under Brown. On this road trip. Knicks are 2-3 after losing to Clippers tonight. And Bridges has disappeared. In last 5 gms
He’s posted — Tor 32 mins, 11 pts — OKC 40 mins,
15 pts — Den 25 mins, 9 pts — LAL 27 mins 0 pts,
LAC 26 mins, 7 pts.
This isn’t the work of your third star. We need 32 mins and 22 pts a game 2WayBridges. F has Brown done to him. Where are you ???? I thought he could be another DeM DeR. Mikal we are still waiting lol, 2 years bro.
Could be a piece to trade to Bucks for Giannis. Towns and Bridges for Giannis and Turner with some draft picks. Bucks would think they could be playioff team with those 2 so they might go for it.
It’s almost two yrs now with Bridges. It’s disappointing man. Knicks not looking good coming down to playoffs. Bad sign lol.
Porziņģis talking like any contract year guy would….
“Hey I’m feeling real good right now. I mean it this time for real.”
As a warrior fan, I hope he does play and play well.
Then we sneak into the playoffs and Steph gets healthy too. Might not go far but it’ll be fun to watch.
Looking forward to the roster rebuild this summer. Plus Add a “trade deadline acquisition” like a 60% Jimmy Butler and it’ll be the same thing next spring. Fingers crossed and at least interesting to watch.
Lots to look forward to !! Yay sports!!
If KP actually came back healthy with Steph in the playoffs they could certainly do some damage… not sure how much but like you said it would be fun to watch.
If your aunt had balls, she’d be your uncle!
Yeah, I know.., a lot of “IF’s” but what else can we do?
Pat Spencer is playing like he woke up from a dream and was in the middle of an NBA game.
Where are all the Podz defenders today? Most mins on the team and has a terrible 14/8/4 in 35 min? That’s absolutely unacceptable. If you are going to be replacing an injured Steph, then you need at least 20 points. Missed all 4 of his free throws too, in a 3 point loss, as well as leading the team in turnovers. True Podz disasterclass.
GSW had 99 shots to 83 and lost. Crazy.
You are the only person on earth expecting that from him
reason #1 why they lost is not driving the ball instead settle for 3 point shots in the first quarter. When seen this movie so many times. The question is why does Kerr let them do this?? Nopbody should have a green light but 2 players that shoot 3s and Podz is one of them that shouldn’t have a green light to throw up bad shots.
Why does Kerr let them shoot so many threes?
That’s the only strategy Kerr uses, and it’s why they’re #1 in 3PAs at 45.4/gm. Too bad this roster only makes 35.8% of them.
Last night, an even more Kerrball than usual 52 threes and awful 30.8% 3pt fg%.
What didn’t make sense to me was only playing his best 3 pt shooter (Seth) 12 minutes. The guy had 13 pts 3 ast 0 TOs and was +3!
First in attempts and 15th in percentage lol
Seth and Cryer are the best 3 point shooters on the team with Curry out. They were also playing a team that did not have their best blockers and tall player playing so why not drive to the basket? It does make me think the Kerr is tanking with these bad decisions.
Its a preview of the post Curry era.
It could be true – Podz rarely misses all 4 fts in a quarter, so maybe he’s on board as well.
The team is so frustrating why they shoot so many 3s when there are only a few players that are real good at 3s. Especially when they hack up a shot early in the shot clock. You would think kerr would be getting on them about it.
We play lile it’s Summer League or Pre Season games. We win some and then people get excited, lol. :(
His stats are up in his third yr. He is playing better now than beginning of season. More consistent. Never going to be star lol. Just becoming a starter that’s a big success. Just needs to be more a playmaker and be consistent. Podz ain’t saving you Davey
Podz is fake, Moody is real.
Davey it’s his third yr. He has a chance to be a starter. At worst a rotation guy. After missing on Wiseman and JK you need this. Moody is looking better. Time wise Podz is a little ahead. All about consistency in NBA lol. Moddy 5 yrs. Podz 3 yrs. Patience bro.
Disagree with those timelines, Moody has had multiple 30 point games already, he was the starter in the playoffs with the all-stars last year. Moody is here and now being a great starter in this league. Moody is a 3 and D SG like Klay. Podz is way way behind Moody. Kerr gives Podz a billion chances and everyone else gets 1 chance. Play Moody 35 mins and he will get you minimum 20 points, Podz last night had 14. So pathetic. But I don’t disagree, Podz might be something as long as he is learning and starts playing defense, but his 6’5″ wingspan limits him there.
Moody has had exactly two 30 pt games, 5 seasons apart. Podz has a 29 pt game and a 28 pt game.
Not really a substantial difference.