OKLAHOMA CITY – Kristaps Porzingis has already accomplished a lot in his short time with the Warriors.
First, the expected newcomer. Then the hyper-analyzed debutant. A sick co-worker followed. And finally “OUT ‘Sick'” on the daily injury report.
So when Porzingis’ name comes up next to “questionable” as a status, he adds another label to his resume: A wild card for a playoff push.
Kerr confirmed in Saturday’s pregame press conference at Paycom Center that he expected Porzingis to play 15 to 20 minutes in his second game with the Warriors.
“Maybe on that list,” Kerr said. “We have to see how he feels when he leaves the court.”
Porzingis looked fluid during a pregame shootaround with assistant coach Seth Cooper, sinking long-range shot after long-range shot.
But how should the Warriors expect, and how can they expect from a center whose incredible talent for scoring and blocking shots is perhaps outnumbered by the number of missed plays?
Porzingis was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) last year, an illness that can cause chronic fatigue, brain fog, feeling sick and other symptoms.
There is no known cure.
It is not known whether Porzingis’ recent illness, which saw him suddenly fall ill the morning of the team’s win over the Nuggets on Feb. 22 after a week of consistent exercise, is related to POTS. He practiced with the team for a week after that, got sick again and was ruled out of the following games.
Porzingis returned to practice before the team’s game against the Rockets on Thursday, even taking part in the pregame practice and knocking down several long jumpers at the Toyota Center in Houston.
That unstoppable jump shot is the most notable reason Porzingis — who has played in just 60 games over the past two years — remains an integral part of the team that traded Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield for Porzingis.
Porzingis is a career high-volume 36.6% shooter, and he flashed his powerful scoring abilities on both the perimeter and the post in his only game with Boston.
He scored 12 points and knocked down two 3-pointers while making turnaround jumpers. The scoring talent was evident even in a 7-foot-3 body that has been worn down by injury and illness.
It would, no doubt, be a blessing for a Warriors team that lost Jimmy Butler (ACL) this season and will be without Steph Curry (runner’s knee) for at least another week.
But at this stage of Porzingis’ career, with his medical record and lack of games played, expecting a savior for a team clinging to the eighth seed is naive.
He hasn’t played in a row since 2024, and he’s already been limited to 20 minutes per game for Golden State.
The Warriors still have five returning starters, so even if he can play those games, Kerr and the medical staff will take him out of one side of the lineup.
At this point, Porzingis will also explore a new contract. He is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and will need to show teams that he can handle even a limited role.
And there’s no guarantee that Porzingis will stay healthy for the rest of the year.
When — or if — Porzingis returns, the center will give the Warriors a boost.
Just don’t expect it to be too much.
Seth Curry injury update
Seth Curry hasn’t played since Dec. 4 in Philadelphia, as he was ruled out of sciatica. But after he took practice shots before Thursday’s game against the Rockets, then was listed as questionable on Friday, it was clear Curry was on his way back.
Curry was ruled out Saturday, but Kerr said he hopes Steph’s younger brother will be able to play Monday at Utah, or return to the Bay Area on Tuesday against the Bulls.
