The Golden State Warriors received an encouraging update about Kristaps Porzingis as the team prepares to begin a three-game road trip Thursday against the Houston Rockets.
According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, Porzingis is traveling to Houston with the Warriors, indicating a positive step toward recovery from his recent illness that has sidelined him in recent games.
"Kristaps Porzingis is traveling to Houston with the Warriors today, I'm told. No word yet on his playing status for the next three (Rockets, Thunder, Jazz), but notable progress since stopping on the last road trip. He's missed the last five games due to general illness," Slater wrote Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Porzingis has been unavailable for Golden State's last five games due to what the team described as a general illness. His appearance on the trip suggests he is close to a potential return, although the Warriors have not confirmed whether he will play during upcoming games.
The 30-year-old joined the Warriors earlier this season after being traded to the Atlanta Hawks at the February deadline. Golden State acquired the versatile big man in a deal that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta.
Kristaps Porzingis nears potential return as Warriors begin road trip
Porzingis made his Warriors debut on February 19 in a 121–110 loss to the Boston Celtics. In that game, he recorded 12 points, one rebound, one assist and one block while shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 2-for-5 from beyond the arc in 17 minutes.
In 18 games this season, including 12 starts, Porzingis is averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. He is shooting 46.1% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range while playing 23.9 minutes per contest.
Golden State enters the road trip with a 31–30 record as it attempts to stabilize its position in the Western Conference standings. After Thursday's game against Houston, the Warriors are scheduled to face the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz before returning home.
