While the Golden State Warriors fell just short to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a narrow 114-107 loss on the road, the fact that they got Kristaps Porzingis back on the hardwood is enough to ease the pain of the loss.
After Porzingis missed the last six games due to a mystery illness, the big man finished with nine points, five rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes of action.
In just his second game with the team after the Warriors acquired him at the trade deadline for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, Porzingis, understandably, looked far from the elite, two-way, big man he may be at his ceiling. At times, he seemed to struggle to find his sea legs in the Dubs' unfamiliar offensive and defensive systems. And the big man looked disappointed after nearly three weeks away from live NBA basketball.
But overall, it was an encouraging step in the right direction for the big man as he played hard, banged in the post and gave Golden State a much-needed threat on offense.
"I thought he looked like a guy who hasn't played with any rhythm at all," Kerr said cheekily after the game.
"But I thought he looked good physically. It's a really encouraging night for him to play 23 minutes. I talked to him after the game, said he felt good. And it was really fun to watch him. You can see what kind of weapon he is, the shape he gives us. Obviously, we are." [still] Figuring out the combinations, what kind of activities we want to run. With him and for him. It's going to take some time, but it's really encouraging to see him there.”
The thing that really seemed encouraging about Porzingis was his ability to force defenses to respond in the post. After losing Jimmy Butler, the Warriors lack a back-to-the-basket threat who can command double-teams. Although it didn't feel right or intuitive, Porzingis was capable of being that threat. And as he gets his groove back, it's sure to get even more powerful.
How Kristaps Porzingis feels after a long recovery
Despite encouraging signs in his return, Porzingis still found flaws in his game.
“Today was OK,” Porzingis shrugged. "I'm still feeling a little heavy, the shot wasn't in good rhythm tonight, and missing some free throws and such. But we'll build from this game, and I think I'll get better with each game."
Porzingis told reporters that his absence from the last six games was "stunning". [him] But after his health improved over the past week and a workout Thursday before the Houston Rockets game, Porzingis felt comfortable that his body was healthy enough to return against the Thunder.
Whether that will stay healthy is still a question mark, as it has been with Porzingis his entire career. With how vague the details are regarding this recent illness and his ongoing POTS condition, it's hard to factor him in for the remainder of the season. But Porzingis expressed confidence in his ability to maintain his health going forward.
"Honestly, I'm confident I'll stay healthy," Porzingis said. "This is what I really feel. Not to sell anything because I know I've been in and out again and again. But this time I really feel that way."
Porzingis told reporters he didn't want to go into too much about why he felt confident about being able to stay healthy, but pointed to two things: the fact that he was able to stay healthy last summer abroad during the EuroBasket and the ability of the Warriors' training staff, especially how in his words they found a solution to this ongoing issue "very quickly."
"I really believe, as I really, really believe, that I'll be healthy from this point forward in terms of energy and things like that."
Other notables
- Gui Santos scored a career-high 22 points with 11 rebounds in the Dubs' loss. Over the past 10 games, Santos has averaged 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists. After signing a three-year, $15 million extension with a player-option in the final year, Santos is poised to play well above the value of that contract.
- Moses Moody remained out with a right wrist injury. With his right wrist in a small cast, he could be seen shooting with his left hand before the game.
- Seth Curry, who appeared in only two games this season, is expected to return sometime this upcoming week. He had been out of action for the last three months due to sciatica, but got a chance to work out in the pregame in Houston. He and his brother Stephen Curry have yet to share the court on the same team.
