Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis will remain out indefinitely due to a private health-related issue, the team announced Wednesday, but he will remain around the organization.
Porzingis said on social media that he is working with doctors and experts to return to full health as soon as possible. "Honestly, I'm getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I'll be feeling great again soon," he said. He informed general manager Mike Dunleavy on the eve of training camp that he would not be reporting, and he missed the team's trip to Hawaii and the first five preseason games. On Tuesday night, while the team was in Las Vegas for a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Porzingis met with Dunleavy and lead medical decision-maker Rick Celebrini at the Warriors' San Francisco facility. The team said it would keep the details of that meeting private.
Porzingis wrote on X that dealing with unexplained health issues on top of injuries throughout his career has been frustrating. "So it has added up for sure, but we will get through it." He is not yet cleared to practice, and the Warriors said they will update his practice resumption, playing status and timeline when appropriate. Two seasons ago, while with the Boston Celtics, he contracted an upper respiratory virus, and he has since spoken vaguely about its lingering effects. He played only 34 games last season, split between the Atlanta Hawks and the Warriors, who acquired him in a trade for Jonathan Kuminga in February.
Golden State re-signed Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million deal this summer, structured to allow the Warriors to trade him at any point and limit long-term risk. Only $3 million of the $20 million due next season is guaranteed. With Porzingis sidelined, coach Steve Kerr is leaning toward a smaller lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green. The Warriors open the regular season October 21 in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing