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. 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 foward/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?
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 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?
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.