9:35 pm: Porzingis said after the game that his back started “spasming up a bit” in the first quarter (Twitter video link via Slater). While he was still experiencing tightness after the loss and “probably” won’t play Saturday in Atlanta, he doesn’t expect it to be a long-term injury.
8:32 pm: Veteran center Kristaps Porzingis experienced lower back soreness in Friday’s road game in Detroit, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN (All Twitter links).
While the Warriors have officially listed Porzingis as questionable to return, he didn’t make his way back to the team’s bench to open the second half after walking slowly to the locker room in the second quarter, Slater notes.
Porzingis had five points, three rebounds and two blocks in 11 first-half minutes.
Golden State currently trails Detroit by 22 points with eight-plus minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Warriors have been in a major slump lately, dropping six of their last seven games and eight of their past 10.
It’s a tough setback for Porzingis, who has been plagued by health issues for much of the past two seasons. He has repeatedly said he was starting to feel better and better after missing several games because of an illness, but now he may be facing another absence.
Entering Friday, Porzingis had appeared in 23 combined games with the Hawks and Warriors in 2025/26, averaging 17.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks in 23.7 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .451/.342/.825.
On Friday morning, Moses Moody provided an update on his right wrist sprain, per Slater (Twitter video link). The fifth-year wing has gone some “high intensity workouts” the past couple days, though he’s still experiencing pain in his wrist, which is taped.
“I’ve been progressing over these last couple days,” Moody said. “I’ve taken some big strides. I’m shooting threes and all now so, I think (I’ll be back) pretty soon.”
I don’t think he’s coming back next year unless it‘s on a minimum. Between the injuries and him having a chronic illness I wouldn’t want to keep him around on a team that’s already largely over the hill.
Porzingis is key to the W’s summer pursuit of Giannis, I think he’ll be back.
Butler, Podz and the 4 first rounders for Giannis is their off-season pitch.
Porzingis, Horford and Post at C. Giannis needs a floor-spacing C.
Giannis at PF
Santos at SF
Melton at SG
Curry
Draymond opts in and they work with him on preferred trade destination, or he opts out and re-signs to a three-year deal at a lower cap figure and agrees to a bench role with GS.
Giannis is not coming to the warriors because he will refuse to sign an extension with the warriors. Since he is a free agent in 2027 if he declines the player option you would not trade for him with draft picks. Giannis already said he wants to play for the heat or the Knicks.
He cannot stay on the floor. Do not commit significant cap to this guy. He is amazing when he plays but simply does not play enough to make a difference.
I didnt know this article was about Jimmy Butler
the injury happened when a Piston player ran into him hard.
It begins….he didn’t earn the nickname by Al “DNKP” for a reason. Yikes.
Just shut him down for the season already