Warriors Notes: Porzingis, Kerr, Green, Seth Curry

Kristaps Porzingis has been cleared to play for the Warriors in Tuesday’s matchup against the Bulls, ESPN’s Anthony Slater writes. This will be his third appearance for Golden State since being acquired in the Jonathan Kuminga trade.

After playing 17 minutes on February 19, in which he scored 12 points on five-of-nine shooting, the Latvian big man missed the next six games before returning on Saturday, scoring nine points with five assists and five rebounds in the loss to the Thunder.

Porzingis has been struggling with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) since last season. He spoke recently about getting cleared to play and his belief that he’ll be more available for the rest of the season than he has been to this point, though he understands fans’ skepticism given his inconsistent playing status.

Draymond Green and De’Anthony Melton are questionable for tonight’s game.

We have more from the Warriors:

• Warriors coach Steve Kerr has once again called for a shortening of the NBA season, according to the writers at ESPN. “I know this will not be a popular opinion in the league office, but I will continue to say it because it’s obvious we need to play fewer games — we need to take 10 games off the schedule,” said Kerr. “I think it would be a more competitive and healthier league if we played fewer games.” Kerr, who coaches the oldest roster in the league by average age, understands that the financial implications of such a change would be steep, but believes the benefits outweigh the costs.
• Green knows that his skillset is not one of a typical NBA star, which is why he considers his brain his biggest superpower on the court, Taylor Wirth writes for NBC Sports. “The reason I say I don’t think anyone can be me, is because, yes I [play hard, physical defense], but it’s not the best thing that I do,” Green said. “I think I’m as smart as anyone in the NBA, and that’s my best skill.” Green had previously gone viral for seemingly self-effacing comments regarding players’ parents comparing their kids to him. “I know what you’re getting at,” Green said. “… I get it, but I’m here to tell you, your son don’t stand a chance at making it.”
• Seth Curry suited up for the Warriors for the first time since December and was very productive, scoring 13 points in 12 minutes while adding three assists. It was such an effective performance that his opponent, Jazz guard Elijah Harkless, turned to him for advice, writes Nick Friedell of The Athletic, who says Harkless asked: “How you come in and make shots right away?” While the Warriors still lost to the tanking Jazz, the return felt important to Curry, given what he’s been through this season. “There was like a month where I really couldn’t move,” said Curry. “I was just laying at home. And then once the pain went away I was able to rehab and try to get all my movement back, but it’s been tough … I just had a minor pain in my back, it got worse, worse, and then it just hit its tipping point.”