Kristaps Porzingis explains back spasms, ‘possibly’ vs. Hawks

Kristaps Porzingis appears to have escaped any major injury after leaving with “lower back soreness” in the second quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ 115-101 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

In the locker room after the game, Porzingis described how the spasms in his lower back worsened as the game progressed in the first half.

“I started feeling it right in the first quarter,” Porzingis said. “I started having a little cramp, [so] I tried to move. As long as I was warm, I was fine, but in that one game, I felt a little cramp down there.

Porzingis was referring to the play when he had a cramp in transition, when he jumped and reached his arm up to intercept Pistons center Paul Reed’s pass. Porzingis noted that he could feel tightness in his back on the plays leading up to that moment, but that specific action was the main trigger. Porzingis would immediately leave the game and not return.

Back injuries are somewhat familiar territory for Porzingis, but he hasn’t dealt with one in some time. Porzingis told reporters that this was something he had experienced earlier in his career, but that it was no longer a major problem after learning how to manage them.

“Honestly, I’m pretty good at managing and keeping my back strong so I’m sure it will heal quickly,” Porzingis told reporters. “It’s a little tight right now. Once I cooled down, it got even tighter. But I’m sure I’ll get it going soon.”

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) has a shot blocked while driving to the basket against Golden State Warriors defenders Draymond Green (left) and Kristaps Porzingis (7) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena.
Lone Horwedel-Imagen Images

What does Kristaps Porzingis mean moving forward?

Based on Porzingis’ explanation of his back spasms, it doesn’t seem to be of much concern. But considering how much time Porzingis has missed due to various health issues, this is a bad stroke of luck for him and the Warriors. Just as he was starting to piece things together.

Earlier this week, Porzingis scored his season high of 30 points against the Washington Wizards, helping Golden State pick up a much-needed win. And before the Pistons game, he was able to play four of the Warriors’ last five games, logging 20, 22, 26 and 23 minutes in each of those games. The plan was really to start increasing Porzingis’ minutes as his stamina and wind were progressing well.

Porzingis said it’s “probably” unlikely he’ll play in the Warriors’ back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks, which was already up in the air, given how much the team has erred on the side of caution in those schedule situations.

Thus, the Warriors will have to make do without their notable big man in their reunion with Jonathan Kuminga, who they dealt to the Hawks at the trade deadline. And they’ll try to salvage a road trip that saw them go 1-3 and drop to 33-37 on the season.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #explains #spasms #possibly #Hawks

Watch Boston’s emotional Kristaps Porzingis tribute video

The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors are in the middle of a competitive battle on ESPN. The Celtics are playing in front of a packed crowd at home against a Warriors team without Steph Curry due to injury.

Another popular name, Kristaps Porzingis, is back at TD Garden after playing two incredible seasons with the Celtics in Beantown. Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks last offseason, and then the Hawks ultimately traded him to the Warriors before the NBA trade deadline. It’s Porzingis’ first game back, so the Celtics gave him an emotional tribute video.

The Celtics can’t win the NBA Finals without Porzingis in 2023-24. His ability to stretch the field and play elite defense was a big part of why Boston was so dominant during that championship run. Remember the first game of the Finals, when Porzingis couldn’t miss a shot in the first quarter? He scored 20 points off the bench in the game, along with six rebounds and three blocks.

His time, as well as Jrue Holiday’s, ended after last season when the Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals of the NBA playoffs. Porzingis was not playing at the time as he was dealing with an undisclosed illness. The Celtics moved on, but they remained a very good team.

Boston is in second place in the conference, and if they beat the Warriors, they will be just 3.5 games behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the East.


#Watch #Bostons #emotional #Kristaps #Porzingis #tribute #video

Kristaps Porzingis made confession before returning to Boston

BOSTON — This latest six-game road trip is basically a brief reunion tour for Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis. With stops in New York, Washington, DC, Atlanta and Dallas, Porzingis has been making waves in the city of every team he has been with throughout his decade in the NBA. But this latest stop in Boston, the city where he helped the Celtics win their first title in sixteen years, is the place where it may mean the most.

At the Warriors’ morning shootaround, Porzingis spoke to the media about his time playing in Boston and all of the good memories he has with the Celtics.

“It feels good to be back,” Porzingis smiled. “It’s a little weird. I missed the city. Of course, as you’re reading, I missed everything. Honestly, it’s good memories. You know, [it] It’s weird to be back a little bit, but it’s a good feeling.”

Porzingis joined Boston via trade with the Washington Wizards in the summer of 2023, with hopes he could give the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Celtics a boost up front. And with his size, defense and shooting, Porzingis did exactly that.

he averaged Averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks in 57 games in 2023-24. And while injuries sidelined him in the second and third rounds of the NBA Playoffs, Porzingis made a triumphant return in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, rocking TD Garden when he scored 18 points off the bench in the first half.

But for all of his basketball successes with the Celtics, what Porzingis remembers most about his time in Bean Town is the city itself.

“[I remember] A lot of little moments, even outside of basketball,” Porzingis said. “Being in the city, my little places to go for coffee, just overall my life in Boston, I really enjoyed it. Basketball was very stressful here. I won’t lie, but it comes with character. And we did it. So I would say the whole package was special.

Kristaps Porzingis after leaving the Celtics

But while the memories of Boston will remain fond, it has been a bit of a rough ride for Porzingis since leaving. Porzingis played only 42 games in the Celtics’ title defense season, as injuries derailed his availability. And when the New York Knicks eliminated Boston in six games, with Tatum tearing his Achilles in the process, it signaled the end of that iteration of the Celtics, as salary cap issues would prove too costly to run it back.

As such, the Celtics sent Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks as a sacrifice to avoid the second apron penalty. And in Atlanta, things will get worse. Porzingis was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a chronic condition that cut his time in Atlanta short. Porzingis would only play 17 games for the Hawks before the Warriors traded him for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.

And while Porzingis has recently gotten healthy, scoring a season-high 30 points last night in D.C., the illness sidelined him for six games just after joining the Warriors. It’s safe to say that it’s been a tough season for Latvians.

“This season has been rough,” Porzingis admitted. “But now I’m healthy. Feeling really good. So I’m getting a real good feeling about basketball again, you know? Which is the most important, because everything else goes second when you’re not feeling right.

“It’s natural to feel that way, and now, when I’m really getting my feet back, getting in good shape, it’s a good reminder of why I love it. Just enjoying playing here.”

Kristaps Porzingis’ expectations from the Boston crowd

The POTS situation, along with the illness, is why this season has been so disappointing for Porzingis. From constantly feeling low on energy, to constant fatigue, to sudden bouts of illness, it has been a tough time for the big man.

But as far as whether it would put his career in question, Porzingis didn’t want to go there.

“I really didn’t want to get those thoughts in my mind,” Porzingis explained.

“Even in general, for life, I don’t want to live at 60% of my energy. I don’t want to feel – I don’t want to live this way. Eventually, I will find a way. No matter what, I will find a way to get how I feel to where I need to feel. At least I’m close to where I was, you know? And I honestly did. Now I’m healing really well again. Everything is back. So I finally feel. “I am starting to be myself again.”

Either way, it will be a heartwarming return for Porzingis in Boston. She will get the full red carpet. A tribute video, standing ovations, high-fives and hugs from past teammates and coaches, the whole nine yards. But whether it will make him emotional or not, Porzingis can’t say.

“I don’t know. But not in the middle of the game, like, I’m not going to cry then,” Porzingis said, laughing. “But definitely, good memories. Good, good memories. Honestly, thinking about it now, I got a good feeling. Obviously I loved my team here a lot, and let’s see how tonight goes.”


#Kristaps #Porzingis #confession #returning #Boston

Kristaps Porzingis’ prediction for Stephen Curry’s return

Kristaps Porzingis gave Golden State Warriors fans a ray of hope by having his best performance since joining the team at the trade deadline.

He helped the Warriors beat the Washington Wizards 125-117 at Capital One Arena on Monday, scoring 30 points on 8-of-13 shooting in 26 minutes off the bench. He also had five rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks.

If healthy, Porzingis remains a reliable two-way force. He certainly displayed it against the Wizards, and showed how he can be a strong player for the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.

When asked about playing with Curry, who is still recovering from a knee injury, Porzingis didn’t hide his enthusiasm.

“He’s the GOAT. You know what I mean? To play with somebody like that, it’s going to be incredible,” Porzingis said on NBC Sports Bay Area.

“Obviously, playing against him, I know what type of player he is and how much seriousness he brings. It opens up everything for everybody. Hopefully, he’ll be back with us soon.”

Porzingis and Curry have yet to share the floor in Golden State, as the two-time MVP has been out of commission since suffering a knee injury against the Detroit Pistons in January.

Porzingis, meanwhile, is dealing with a strange illness that has limited him to just 21 games this season. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

The Warriors acquired Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga, finding him a perfect fit for their system.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #prediction #Stephen #Currys #return

Kristaps Porzingis will play vs. Bulls, Draymond Green according to injury report

The Golden State Warriors host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, and Kristaps Porzingis is not on the team’s injury report, while Draymond Green is listed as questionable. Porzingis is dealing with illness-related issues while Green is listed as undergoing management of a lower back injury. Everything we know about the injury status of Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green heading into the Warriors’ game against the Bulls.

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Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green injury status vs. Bulls

Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) brings the ball up the court during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center
Troy Taormina-Imagen Images

It’s good news for Warriors fans that Porzingis is not on the team’s injury report. Since being acquired by the Warriors at the trade deadline, Porzingis has only played in two games as he deals with health uncertainty. Given that Green is questionable, he likely won’t get a concrete update until game time.

In the two games in which Porzingis has had success, he is averaging 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals, while shooting 42.1 percent from the field, 25 percent from the 3-point line and 50 percent from the free-throw line.

Green has played a little over 27 minutes per game in 53 games. He averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists with splits of 41.3 percent shooting from the field, 32.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 69.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

When the question arises whether or not Draymond Green will play in the Warriors’ game against the Bulls tonight, the answer is not yet clear.

warriors injury report

-Jimmy Butler III out (right ACL surgery)
-Seth Curry out (left sciatic nerve injury management)
-Stephen Curry out (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)
-Draymond Green questionable (management of left lower back injury)
-D’Anthony Melton questionable (left adductor soreness).
-Moses Moody out (right wrist sprain)
-Gary Payton II probable (left ankle injury)
-Quinton Post questionable (bilateral leg pain)

oxen injury report

-Matas Bouzelis probable (right ankle sprain)
-Jack Collins out (surgery on right toe)
-Noah Asengue out (left shoulder surgery)
-Josh Giddy probable (right ankle sprain)
-Jaden Ivy out (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)
-Mac McClung out (G League two-way)
-Lachlan Olbrich out (G League two-way)
-Colin Sexton doubtful (contusion of left fibular head)
-Anfernee Simmons out (left ulnar styloid fracture)
-Jalen Smith probable (left calf strain)
-Patrick Williams questionable (left ankle sprain)


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Is Kristaps Porzingis playing tonight? warriors vs jazz injury report

The Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors are set to face off on Monday night. Kristaps Porzingis returned from illness on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, a contest in which OKC emerged victorious with a 104–97 victory. Is Porzingis playing tonight vs Jazz?

The Warriors are proceeding with caution when it comes to the Porzingis situation. He has appeared in only two games with Golden State since being acquired in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks earlier this season.

Everything we know about Porzingis’ injury status for tonight’s game.

Kristaps Porzingis’ injury status vs. Jazz

According to the NBA injury report, Porzingis has been ruled out of Monday night’s game. Monday’s game represents the first game of a back-to-back. Porzingis is expected to be available on Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

Golden State’s primary hope is to have Porzingis available for the postseason. The Warriors’ playoff outlook is uncertain at this time, as they currently hold a play-in spot. Regardless of where they finish in the standings, the team will proceed with caution when it comes to Porzingis’ situation.

As far as the question of whether Kristaps Porzingis is playing tonight, the answer is no.

warriors injury report

The Warriors have seven players listed on the injury report.

  • Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation): probable
  • Will Richard (sprained right ankle): doubtful
  • Kristaps Porzingis (general illness management): out
  • Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery): out
  • Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome): out
  • Al Horford (left toe injury management): out
  • Moses Moody (right wrist sprain): Out

jazz injury report

The Jazz have five players listed on the injury report.

  • Jaren Jackson Jr. (recovering from left knee injury): Out
  • Walker Kessler (recovering from left shoulder injury): out
  • Lauri Markkanen (right hip injury): out
  • Jusuf Nurkic (recovering from nose injury): Out
  • Vince Williams Jr. (left knee injury management): Out


#Kristaps #Porzingis #playing #tonight #warriors #jazz #injury #report

Golden State’s Kristaps Porzingis plans back-to-back

The Golden State Warriors have been dealing with some injuries over the past few weeks, as Stephen Curry is still out with a knee injury. Another player sidelined was Kristaps Porzingis, who has been battling his illness for most of the season. Luckily for the Warriors, he was able to match that in their latest game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and finished with 9 points, five rebounds and five assists.

According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors want to be cautious about how much they extend Porzingis, and they have a plan for the team’s upcoming back-to-back.

“The Warriors’ current plan is to rest Kristaps Porzingis on Monday night in Utah and play him at home against the Bulls on Tuesday. He clocked up 23 minutes tonight and told Kerr after the game he felt fine,” Slater wrote on Twitter.

Steve Kerr was impressed with what he saw from Porzingis against the Thunder.

“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.”

Porzingis said after the game that he was optimistic he would stay healthy moving 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 being healthy will be important for the Warriors this season as they try to make the playoffs.


#Golden #States #Kristaps #Porzingis #plans #backtoback

Kristaps Porzingis confesses about Steve Kerr’s illness mistake

On Saturday evening, the Golden State Warriors suffered a tough loss in a closely contested match against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The good news for the Warriors was that Kristaps Porzingis was able to return in this game after missing several games due to illness, and the team was able to stay closer than expected against the defending champions.

Recently, head coach Steve Kerr made headlines for his comments on 95.7 The Game, in which he spoke in detail about Porzingis’ alleged illness, which is reported to have stemmed from POTS.

“I read about the POTS diagnosis and called the Hawks [general manager] Onsie Saleh,” Kerr said. “He’s a good friend of mine and I said ‘Is this Potts story real?’ He said it’s not really Potts. That was some misinformation that was out there,” Kerr said, according to Sports Illustrated’s Joey Ackley.

Kerr has since apologized for these comments, and now, Porzingis is speaking out on them.

“Yeah, it wasn’t ideal because again he put something out so people could start talking about it. But, again, I told Steve, it’s OK. I know he didn’t mean anything, he didn’t want to publicize something about my health. He just said what he knew at this time and yes, honestly, it’s OK,” Porzingis said, according to NBC Sports Bay Area and California on YouTube.

Porzingis was brought to the Warriors from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline in exchange for Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga. Porzingis has appeared in only two games so far for the Warriors due to illness, which also caused him to miss several contests during his brief tenure in Atlanta.

The Warriors will hope that Porzingis will be able to stay on the field moving forward. They next hit the road on Monday evening against the Utah Jazz.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #confesses #Steve #Kerrs #illness #mistake

Why Steve Kerr was encouraged by Kristaps Porzingis’ return vs. the Thunder

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.

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzicz (7) comes on as a substitute against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Chase Center.
D. Ross Cameron-Imagen Images

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.


#Steve #Kerr #encouraged #Kristaps #Porzingis #return #Thunder

Is Kristaps Porzingis playing tonight? warriors vs thunder injury report

The Golden State Warriors face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night and Kristaps Porzingis is once again at the center of the injury report. The Warriors have listed Porzingis as questionable due to illness, putting the focus on the veteran big man as Golden State looks to win back-to-back games.

The Warriors entered the matchup at 32–30, No. 8 in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Thunder are the top seed in the West at 49-15 and are aiming to extend their four-game winning streak. With Oklahoma City playing dominant basketball and the Warriors trying to solidify their position in the playoff race, the importance of Porzingis’ availability has increased. If he plays, it will be just the second game of his Warriors tenure.

Through 18 games this season, he is averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 46.1 percent from the field. The 7-foot-2 center contributes 1.3 blocks per game, providing valuable rim protection and floor spacing.

When Porzingis is available, the Warriors gain a unique frontcourt dimension. His size and perimeter shooting opened up the floor offensively while giving Golden State another defensive presence around the rim.

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Kristaps Porzingis’ injury status vs. Thunder

Several additional names are included on the Warriors’ injury report. Stephen Curry is out with right patellofemoral pain syndrome, while Jimmy Butler III is out after right ACL surgery. Seth Curry is listed as questionable with left sciatic nerve irritation. Moses Moody is out with a sprained right wrist, while Gary Payton II is expected with a left ankle injury. De’Anthony Melton and Will Richard are both questionable with knee and ankle injuries, respectively.

For Oklahoma City, the Thunder injury report lists several players out, including Brandon Carlson (lower back strain), Alex Caruso (left hip strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf strain), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain and left ankle sprain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL recovery), and Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain). Are.

Still, Porzingis’ status remains one of the most important questions ahead of the matchup. The Warriors hope to build momentum in the Western Conference standings, while the Thunder aim to continue their run at the top of the conference.

So when it comes to the question of whether Kristaps Porzingis is playing tonight against the Thunder, the answer is uncertain. His final status will depend on pre-game evaluation as Golden State prepares for a big test against the top team in the West.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #playing #tonight #warriors #thunder #injury #report

Kristaps Porzingis’ status gets big update for Thunder clash

Kristaps Porzingis has only played one game for the Golden State Warriors since joining the club from the Atlanta Hawks. After missing the last six games due to a mystery illness, Porzingis gets an inspiring update on his condition.

According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, reports indicate the 30-year-old big man was upgraded to questionable on the latest injury report. He’s not guaranteed to play against the Thunder on Saturday, but it’s a great first step in the right direction. Seth Curry, Will Richard, and De’Anthony Melton are all listed as questionable as well.

“Kristaps Porzingis and Seth Curry have been upgraded to questionable for the Warriors last night at Oklahoma City. Both have a chance to return after going through recent on-court work. Will Richard and De’Anthony Melton are also questionable.”

The 10-year veteran has played in just 18 games so far this season (17 with the Hawks, one with the Warriors). In those 18 contests, Porzingis is averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. His field goal percentage is 46.1% while shooting 36.3% from beyond the three-point line.

He missed a large portion of the season due to a prolonged illness, which was initially believed to be postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). In February, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr claimed that Porzingis does not actually have potties. But Kerr quickly walked back those comments, making the whole situation a bit confusing. Either way, Kristaps Porzingis is still battling a mystery illness for several weeks.

The Warriors-Thunder game won’t start until 8:30 pm EST on Saturday. Therefore, Golden State will have most of the day to evaluate Porzingis’ situation and make a final decision.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #status #big #update #Thunder #clash

Kristaps Porzingis took a big step in his comeback from illness

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

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (7) guards Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) during the third quarter at Chase Center.
D. Ross Cameron-Imagen Images

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.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #big #step #comeback #illness

Kristaps Porzingis’ return date uncertain amid ‘mysterious’ illness

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s difficult to say when Kristaps Porzingis will return to the field for the Golden State Warriors.

After debuting against the Boston Celtics, the Dubs’ trade deadline acquisition has missed the last five games due to an illness that the team has not publicly classified or defined, with details about what Porzingis specifically is doing remain sparse.

Before the Warriors’ game with the Los Angeles Clippers, coach Steve Kerr described the nature of Porzingis’ illness in non-descriptive terms.

“It’s a little mysterious,” Kerr told reporters. “We’re obviously working with him and hoping he can get some clarity, and he can kind of move forward and get to a point where he’s going to be consistently healthy. But it’s something the medical staff is working hard with him on, and, yes, I won’t even offer any theories now, any medical theories.”

The last part of Kerr’s answer stems from the confusion he caused regarding Porzingis’ illness when he said in a radio interview that his previous postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosis was “misinformation”, and that a different illness had forced him to miss a game for Atlanta last year.

Kerr later walked back those comments, and told reporters that what he said was a “stupid mistake” and that he regretted trying to talk about something he is not able to talk about professionally. Now, Kerr’s return doesn’t mean Porzingis’ current ailment is due to POTS. However, this creates a bleak picture about his condition, the nature of his illness and when he will return.

What we know about Porzingis’ situation

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzicz (7) comes on as a substitute against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Chase Center.
D. Ross Cameron-Imagen Images

We know very little about Porzingis’ condition, as Kerr declined to share specific information about his condition. But what we do know is that Porzingis was able to practice on Friday of last week, when the Dubs returned from their quick two-game, back-to-back road trip. It was his first practice since falling ill, which seemed like an encouraging development ahead of their Saturday game with the Los Angeles Lakers.

But things apparently took a turn for the worse as he was ejected from the Lakers game the next day. And then today before the Clippers game, Porzingis was not at the Warriors’ shootaround this morning.

As for how he’s doing emotionally, Kerr said the two of them talked today.

“Spoke to him today. We had a good conversation and he’s OK,” Kerr shared. “I mean, he obviously wants to come back and wants answers. And we’re going to continue to support him.”

Despite this, this is a precarious situation for the Warriors as they were counting on him to get a boost after the trade deadline. They finally sealed the Jonathan Kuminga era and hope to turn over a new leaf with the size, skill and defense that Porzingis is capable of when fully healthy.

But he is not healthy. And while the Warriors made this trade knowing full well the risk, as Kerr and Mike Dunleavy have said publicly, it’s clear that the gamble hasn’t paid off at all so far.

For now, the Dubs will continue to monitor Porzingis’ health as uncertainty looms over his return date.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #return #date #uncertain #mysterious #illness

Steve Kerr’s shocking revelation about Kristaps Porzingis’ POTS diagnosis

When the Golden State Warriors traded for center Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks, they were getting a versatile big man with the ability to score inside and out. The questions surrounding Porzingis’ acquisition were not about him on the court, but off it.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Kristaps Porzingis was reportedly battling postural tachycardia syndrome, a condition that causes increased heart rate, dizziness and even fatigue when going from lying down or sitting to standing. Symptoms of POTS, which are caused by a lack of blood flow to the eardrum when a person stands, may also be relieved by sitting or lying down.

Porzingis had lost 14 consecutive games for the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks at the NBA trade deadline for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.

Since the trade, Porzingis has played in only one of a possible eight games for the Warriors. He was able to make his Dubs debut on February 19 against the Boston Celtics, where he scored 12 points in 17 minutes of play, but subsequently missed three consecutive games due to illness.

According to head coach Steve Kerr, however, Kristaps Porzingis is not dealing with POTS. Kerr recently spoke with Willard and Dibs, a Bay Area radio show that airs weekday afternoons, and that’s where he revealed that Porzingis isn’t working out with Potts at all.

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (left) shares a laugh with Boston Celtics guard Peyton Pritchard (11) after their game at Chase Center.
D. Ross Cameron-Imagen Images

“When I heard about the trade, I read about his POTS diagnosis and then called Onsi Saleh, who was with us, he’s Atlanta’s GM now and he’s a good friend of mine,” Kerr explained. “I called him and said, ‘Is this POTS story real?’ And he said it’s not really Potts. It wasn’t Potts.’ So that was some of the misinformation that was out there.

“I don’t know if anyone asked him about it, but the bottom line is that whatever was bothering him in Atlanta, that was keeping him out, had nothing to do with last week’s illness. He was just sick. As you guys know, there’s a lot going on and he was quite sick, losing a lot of fluids and infectious substances, so we kept him at home, but he’s doing much better now.”

Kristaps Porzingis is believed to have been dealing with POTS for several months and it has led many to question what is really left in his NBA career. But Steve Kerr says the Warriors got confirmation that Porzingis is not dealing with POTS ahead of the trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Hawks.

“I don’t really know what’s out there,” Kerr said. “All I know is that we had internal discussions and I’ve talked to Kristaps and he told me he’s feeling good and we didn’t go into depth about his illness in Atlanta, but I got confirmation that it wasn’t Potts, but it was something else that was really difficult to figure out and sometimes it happens, even in this modern age where we have a lot of answers, we never have all of them. Sometimes just mysterious things happen.”

As of Friday night, Porzingis is listed as “doubtful” to play in Saturday night’s game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers due to illness. While Stephen Curry is listed as out with “runner’s knee,” Draymond Green is listed as “probable” after missing the Warriors’ last game.

Porzingis has played in only 18 games so far this season between the Hawks and Warriors, averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three.


#Steve #Kerrs #shocking #revelation #Kristaps #Porzingis #POTS #diagnosis

Kristaps Porzingis’ positive take on injury report ahead of Lakers clash

SAN FRANCISCO — After missing the past three games due to illness, Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is headed in the right direction ahead of the Dubs’ matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Following the Warriors’ Friday afternoon practice, Steve Kerr gave a positive update on the big man’s status.

“Kristaps felt better in practice today. It’s the first time he’s done anything since his illness,” Kerr said. “He would be suspicious [for the Lakers game]”

It’s been a rough start to the Porzingis era in Golden State. After his mixed debut against the Boston Celtics, in which he scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 17 minutes of action, health has once again proven to be a hindrance for the big man. Before the Denver game, the first game Porzingis missed during this period, Kerr said that Porzingis’ illness was so severe that he could not leave his hotel room. And last week, Porzingis remained at the bay to recover as the Dubs went on the road for a quick back-to-back.

With the disease rearing its head, Porzingis’ medical history with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) certainly comes to the forefront of speculation. In the past, Porzingis has struggled with POTS’ chronic symptoms, primarily an increased heart rate that later leads to dizziness and extreme fatigue.

However, the Warriors have not officially linked this particular disease to that specific condition. Details about Porzingis’ symptoms and the specifics of his illness remain scarce and vague. Still, this is an ailment that Golden State knew about when they traded for him and were confident they could manage.

So far, health has hampered Porzingis’ start in Golden State, but hopefully they can get him back against the Lakers.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after playing against the Utah Jazz during the second half at the Delta Center.
rob gray-image images

Draymond Green injury update

As for other injury updates, Kerr said Draymond Green was able to participate in practice and he expects to be available against Los Angeles after lower back pain sidelined him against the Memphis Grizzlies.

But the problem with Green, lately, has been when he’s been available and on the court. Whenever Green takes the field, his decline in offensive performance has a negative impact on the rest of the team. In the last two games he has missed, the Warriors have scored more than 120 points. And in the last two games, they have decided not to finish with him; They have managed to pick up some close wins over the Phoenix Suns and Grizzlies.

On the season, when Green is on the floor, the Warriors are 4.3 points worse per 100 possessions, which is in the bottom 22nd percentile among players at his position. For a player who had historic on-off, positive plus/minus in his heyday, the situation he is in now is a far cry from his peak.

It’s a problem of which Kerr is acutely aware. Last week, he said it was up to him and the coaching staff to put him in the best position to succeed. After practice, Kerr talked about how they can find a rhythm with him out there.

“We have to read the situation. New Orleans, we found more rhythm in the second half with Dre than we did in the first, and so it’s some type of sets we can call,” Kerr said. “We’re doing some of our off-ball things. And then some adjustments that he’s going to have to make without Steph, and those are all things we talked about internally and with the whole group.”


#Kristaps #Porzingis #positive #injury #report #ahead #Lakers #clash

Jaylen Brown pays tribute to Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is grateful for everything he’s accomplished alongside Golden State Warriors centers Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Less than two years ago, they captured an NBA championship together in dominant fashion, and the first-year Warriors both played major roles in that title run.

However, just because Brown enjoyed his time with Horford and Porzingis doesn’t mean he’s not going to go easy on them when the Celtics face the Dubs in San Francisco on Thursday night. Brown, who officially became a five-time All-Star last weekend, paced the Warriors with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists – enough for his third triple-double of the season.

His impressive performance helped the Celtics score 34 points and win 121–110 at Chase Center. After the double-digit win, he thanked and teased his former teammates via an NBA on Prime Video broadcast.

“Well, those guys helped us win a championship in 2024, so there’s no better way to honor them than giving them the belts tonight,” Brown said with a smile.

Despite a winning effort from the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, the Celtics couldn’t completely dismantle the Warriors on Thursday evening. Golden State cut Boston’s lead to 11 points in the fourth quarter and won the final frame 37–19.

However, time was not on Golden State’s side, and Porzingis’ seven points in the final 12 minutes of the game were not enough to complete the comeback. In his Warriors debut (and first game since January 7), the Latvian big man recorded 12 points and one block in 17 minutes off the bench.

As for the other ex-Celtics on the floor, Horford struggled offensively, missing eight of his 10 shots en route to a five-point outing. However, he was far from the worst Warriors center to take the court, as veteran big Draymond Green did not score in 18 minutes of play and posted the team’s worst plus-minus rating of minus-28.

Without real size and, most importantly, the presence of star shooting guard Stephen Curry due to a knee injury, the Warriors could not keep up with the overachieving Celtics. Brown and company will now look forward to their successful reunion in the Bay Area and look forward to Sunday afternoon’s showdown with the rival Los Angeles Lakers.


#Jaylen #Brown #pays #tribute #Horford #Kristaps #Porzingis

克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porzingis) 迎来热烈掌声

周四晚上,金州勇士队在 NBA 全明星周末后重返赛场。他们在 2022 年 NBA 总决赛的重赛中主场迎战波士顿凯尔特人队。虽然斯蒂芬·库里因膝伤缺阵,但勇士队终于在阵容中引进了一位新球星。

克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯周四首次亮相金州勇士队。

在查看比赛并通过公共广播宣布后,波尔津吉斯 受到热烈欢迎 来自主场勇士队的球迷。

勇士队在 NBA 交易截止日期前与亚特兰大老鹰队交易波尔津吉斯。这是一个有趣的举动,特别是考虑到金州勇士队在西部联盟中的地位。库里在那之后的膝盖受伤无疑让这一举动看起来有点糟糕。

尽管如此,这位来自拉脱维亚的大个子肯定会产生积极的影响。

周四晚上,勇士队主场迎战凯尔特人队,波尔津吉斯带领凯尔特人队赢得了他唯一的总冠军。波士顿队在两个赛季前赢得了 NBA 冠军,尽管波尔津吉斯因伤缺席了比赛,但他还是发挥了巨大的作用。

伤病对他的整个职业生涯造成了严重破坏。这位10年的老将本赛季只打了18场比赛,由于多种原因缺席了比赛。在他职业生涯的最后九个赛季中,他每年缺席 16 到 39 场比赛。

但勇士队主教练史蒂夫·科尔非常乐观地认为波尔津吉斯将能够在本赛季余下的比赛中做出坚实的贡献。不幸的是,对于勇士队来说,凯尔特人队正在击败金州勇士队。

截至本文撰写时,波士顿队半场领先 23 分。波尔津吉斯在七分钟内得到五分。


#克里斯塔普斯波尔津吉斯 #Kristaps #Porzingis #迎来热烈掌声

Kristaps Porzingis gets huge applause at check-in

The Golden State Warriors were back on the court Thursday night following the NBA All-Star break. They hosted the Boston Celtics in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals. While Stephen Curry is out with a knee injury, the Warriors finally got a new star in the lineup.

Kristaps Porzingis made his Golden State debut on Thursday.

Upon checking in on the game and being announced on PA, Porzingis received praise From the crowd of domestic warriors.

The Warriors traded with the Atlanta Hawks for Porzingis before the NBA trade deadline. It was an interesting move, especially given Golden State’s position in the Western Conference. Curry’s subsequent knee injury has certainly made his stride a bit worse.

Nevertheless, the Latvian big man will certainly make a positive impact.

On Thursday night, the Warriors hosted the Celtics team with whom Porzingis won his only championship. Boston won the NBA title two seasons ago, with Porzingis making a big impact despite missing time due to injury.

Injuries have wreaked havoc throughout his career. The 10-year veteran has only played 18 games this season, missing time for a variety of reasons. He has missed 16 to 39 games in each of the last nine seasons of his career.

But Warriors coach Steve Kerr is highly optimistic that Porzingis will be able to make solid contributions the rest of the season. Unfortunately for the Dubs, the Celtics are getting the best of Golden State.

At the time of this writing, Boston led by 23 points at halftime. Porzingis has five points in seven minutes played.


#Kristaps #Porzingis #huge #applause #checkin

Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis share thoughts on Celtics clash

SAN FRANCISCO – If you would have told Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis during their championship run with the Boston Celtics that they would find themselves together on the Golden State Warriors, they wouldn’t have believed you.

“When we were in Boston, if anyone said this scenario was going to happen,” Porzingis said. “Who would believe it? But that’s the way it works. And obviously, you know, we expected there would be some changes in Boston in terms of money. But yeah, it’s going to be weird, especially this first game against Boston.”

With the Celtics in town, Porzingis and Horford will be reunited with the team they helped lead to an NBA title just two years ago. For two players who loved the city, loved their teammates, and loved their time in the iconic green and white jersey, this will be an emotional affair not only for them but for their families as well.

After his first full critique of the Warriors since the All-Star break, Horford expressed how excited he is to see all of his former teammates and coaches.

“For me, it’s very exciting,” Horford said. And, you know, my son Ian is looking forward to seeing a lot of people and seeing a lot of coaches. The whole thing is just, you know, it’s going to be good… It’s been different for us, but it’s been good. It’s been good for him, and it’s been good for us as a family.”

How the Celtics have performed since the departures of Horford and Porzingis

Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and center Kristaps Porzingis (8) run back on defense during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
petre thomas-imagen images

Like the unexpected reunion of Horford and Porzingis in Golden State, the Celtics’ season so far has been quite a surprise. With Jayson Tatum rehabbing his torn Achilles, the Celtics sacrificing Porzingis and Jrue Holiday by trading their big salaries under the second apron, and steady veteran Horford departing in free agency, this year was supposed to be a gap year for Boston to lick its wounds and reset.

Instead, the C’s sit at 35-19 on the season, which is in second place at the top of the East in the conference. Right where they were a year ago. And the year before that. This came as a surprise to all the pundits and analysts who had predicted the semi-tank. But for Horford, the Celtics’ unexpected success is no surprise.

When Horford was asked if Boston’s success this season surprised him, he replied, “No.” “Because of which [Mazzulla] And the culture that’s been established in Boston. Probably the most surprising part has been Mimi’s growth [Neemias Queta] And Jordan Walsh. “They’ve really made big steps in their development, and how they’re playing and how they’re impacting wins.”

In Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown has emerged as a true number-one option, averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game. And in the holes left by Porzingis, Horford and Holiday, their youth has stepped up. Cueta, Walsh, Peyton Pritchard, Baylor Shearman, Luka Garza, guys who used to sit on the bench and watch their powerhouse team roar, have become the backbone of the Celtics’ depth.

“But overall, it’s kind of expected,” Horford continued, pointing to the underlying win expectation for one of the NBA’s most historic franchises. “That’s just what I think, Brad.” [Stevens] And Joe has done a great job there. And it’s something that’s consistent, so I’m not surprised.

celtics reunion emotions

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) loses the ball while trying to get between Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) and center Neemias Queta (88) during the first quarter at TD Garden.
Winslow Townson-Imagen Images

Reunions in the NBA aren’t always heartfelt. But for players like Horford and Porzingis, who did just as much for a team like Boston, this special reunion will be special for both parties. As he prepares for the many hugs and pats and high-fives and conversations with his old team tomorrow, Porzingis reflected on his short but productive time in Boston.

“I knew…going to Boston. It was going to be like championship expectations,” Porzingis said, explaining the pressure of playing for a historic franchise like Boston. “It’s something every player strives for [for]To be in that position…and we did it once. The second year didn’t go well, but yes, we enjoyed our time there and enjoyed every moment of it. And finally we accomplished the big objective.

“And you know how much I love playing there. Just everything. The organization, the front office, playing at TD Garden, the floor, the colors. It’s an iconic franchise, so it’ll always be a part of my memory as a special time.”

This is just the first part of the Celtics reunion, as the Warriors will still have to travel to Boston later this season, where they will get their due from rabid Celtics fans. Needless to mention, this matchup could be Porzingis’ debut in a Golden State uniform as he has been rehabbing his Achilles tendonitis throughout the break. Porzingis is listed as questionable, but he is optimistic about his chances of getting on the floor.

Either way, it’s an exciting moment for the two big guys.

“It’s exciting for me, just from the standpoint of seeing a lot of guys I care about compete on the court,” Horford said. “And it goes on. And then, kind of, being able to meet a lot of people. It’s very special to me.”


#Horford #Kristaps #Porzingis #share #thoughts #Celtics #clash

Stephen Curry out, Kristaps Porzingis optimistic for Celtics matchup

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors got a mixed injury update ahead of their first game since the All-Star break against the Boston Celtics.

Stephen Curry will miss his sixth consecutive game due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner’s knee. The Warriors hoped the All-Star break would give Curry enough time to recover from the swelling associated with this type of injury. But it appears Curry will need more time to recover, as he was unable to participate in the team’s scrimmage today.

“[Curry] Will be evaluated by our training staff tonight,” Kerr said. “But he wasn’t where he needed to be going through the scrimmage. “And so it’s unfortunate, but we’ll have an update on that tomorrow after we spend our time with the training staff tonight.”

On the bright side of things, the Warriors made Kristaps Porzingis questionable for their matchup with the Celtics. After a strong week of rehab and increasing his workload, Porzingis was able to fully acclimate with the team today, which was one of the final hurdles they had to clear before deciding whether to clear him to play. After practice, Porzingis told reporters he was feeling good ahead of his potential return.

“Feels great,” Porzingis said of his first official scrimmage with the Warriors. “I feel good on the court. I worked out a lot before the All-Star break and had a few days off, but I stayed active. Didn’t want to take some time off because I’ve barely played this season. I want to go out there, feel good, and start building on top of that and finish the year really strong.”

Porzingis was excited to be playing on Draymond Green’s team, a pairing he and the Warriors are very excited about. Porzingis said he “loved” working with Green and now understands why he is so important to Golden State.

However, this is a pair that may have to wait. Kerr did not confirm whether Porzingis would actually be available for the Celtics game. But all signs seem encouraging, especially after Porzingis gave a cheeky answer when asked if he intends to make his Warriors debut tomorrow.

“I don’t know how much I can say,” Porzingis said with a smile as he looked to the Warriors’ PR team for an idea of ​​what he could say. “But feeling good and ready to go.”

Golden State Warriors' Team USA stripes guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts in Game 3 against Team World during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome.
Kirby Lee-Images Images

Warriors plan for Kristaps Porzingis when he returns

As with Porzingis, Kerr doesn’t have an exact vision for his minutes restriction, but estimates around the 15-minute limit. As a result, Kerr is expected to play them in short bursts as he continues to work on his recovery from injury. Porzingis shared that although he didn’t initially plan on having the kind of short burst minutes he liked being rotated in, he has adjusted to that style of minutes.

“I hated playing short spurts,” Porzingis said. “Especially coming back from something because you’re there for a short period of time, it’s almost hard to get into a rhythm. You don’t want to go in and chuck the first shot. But sometimes I do that now. So I’m coming in, you know, just having my opportunities. Gotta take them and get into a rhythm that way.”

With Porzingis, the Warriors are especially excited about what he will bring to their offense. With Butler out for the season and Curry out for the last several weeks with an injury, they will look to Porzingis to give them a new dimension.

His old Celtics teammate, now Warriors teammate, Al Horford said, “With his ability to score the ball offensively I think he’ll be able to really help us.” Despite familiarity with each other’s games, Porzingis’ role in Boston was more of a defensive enforcer rather than an offensive initiator. With warriors, they will demand more later.

“He’ll probably have more opportunities on the offensive end, especially obviously with us missing Jimmy and everything else, so I think it’s a great opportunity for him to step up offensively and have a bigger role.”

Despite this, Porzingis is slowly making his comeback as he looks to become the Dubs’ X-factor after the All-Star break.

“Again, don’t have any crazy expectations of yourself. Just one day at a time. Take the short minutes I’ll have. Build up slowly, and I’ll be fine.”


#Stephen #Curry #Kristaps #Porzingis #optimistic #Celtics #matchup

Steve Kerr encourages Kristaps Porzingis injury update

SAN FRANCISCO — With hopes rising that the Golden State Warriors could get to the trade deadline for Kristaps Porzingis’ return after extended time off following the All-Star break, Steve Kerr provided an encouraging injury update for the big man.

“Kristaps has been here for the last few days and practiced with the team today,” Kerr said. This is an improvement from the previous update in which he was working 5-on-5 in the halfcourt.

“Feels good. He feels good. We won’t make any decisions until tomorrow when we practice tomorrow afternoon. We’ll get up and down the floor and scrimmage, which we didn’t do today.”

As for Stephen Curry, who has missed the last five games due to patellofemoral pain syndrome in his knee, Kerr didn’t have much of an update on the star point guard after the team gave him and the Giants an extra day off.

The Warriors essentially took him out of the last two games before the break and the All-Star break to give him as much time as possible to get his runner’s knee under control. The idea is to keep him and Porzingis as healthy as possible for the 27-game sprint that awaits them as the eighth seed and out of the play-in tournament.

They have succeeded in the first part of the plan. Porzingis spent the break rehabbing with the team, while Curry stayed off his feet — except for one crazy trick shot over All-Star weekend in LA. Now comes an evaluation of his progress, as they look to bring him back for a home-run.

“That’s the hope,” Kerr admitted. “But again, we’ll have to—we haven’t seen Steph yet, and Kristaps needs to participate in a scrimmage first. We’ll just see how it goes tomorrow.”

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
Bill Streicher-Images

What the Warriors envision for Kristaps Porzingis

As many have pointed out in the wake of the Porzingis acquisition, his size, defense and shooting fit the kind of player the Warriors have been looking for for years. Obviously, that vision requires Porzingis’ rollercoaster medical history to remain stable, but that doesn’t dampen Kerr or the Warriors’ excitement about what he can do for them.

Kerr has said that he would not have traded Porzingis if he had not been confident in his health. And while much of that confidence lies in the highly praised Rick Celebrini and his top medical staff, the Warriors feel confident on the outside with what Porzingis brings to the table.

“He’s fit in easily,” Kerr told reporters Wednesday evening after his first practice since the break. “You don’t have to change a lot. You know, the biggest difference, I think, is his post-up delivery. He’s a very good post-up player, especially against switches. You throw him the ball at the foul line, elbows, even low blocks.”

With Porzingis out, the Warriors are looking for a Band-Aid for a Jimmy Butler-sized hole in their offense. Kerr noted that the spacing created by Porzingis will be different than that offered by Butler, but he is excited for his ability to play within his trademark split-action.

“I’m actually more excited about his splits than having someone else have the ball,” Kerr said. “When we throw him the ball in the post, we ask him to score a lot, but he’s such a dynamic player that you can also run pin downs for him. He can shoot it on the move. He doesn’t just pick and pop … so he should fit in pretty seamlessly with everything we do.”


#Steve #Kerr #encourages #Kristaps #Porzingis #injury #update