Kristaps Porzingis made his return to the court for the Golden State Warriors after a six-game absence due to health issues. In a challenging matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, he contributed nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and one block in a 104-97 loss.
Porzingis expressed optimism about his recovery, stating, “I felt like my body is coming back to what it needs to be.” Prior to the game, he had completed one workout, which he felt went well. The 27-year-old had previously warmed up before a road game against the Houston Rockets and participated in practice on Friday. He played for 23 minutes against the Thunder, marking a significant step in his return to form.
The forward, who was acquired by the Warriors in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks on February 4, has faced ongoing health challenges since last season. After contracting a virus in late February 2023, he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that can cause severe fatigue and rapid heart rate. This ailment has significantly impacted his playing time, limiting him to just 17 games with the Hawks before the trade.
Porzingis shared his frustration regarding the impact of his illness, stating, “Especially getting traded somewhere else, I wanted to get out there as soon as possible.” He acknowledged feeling a bit heavy during the game and noted that his shooting rhythm was not yet where he wanted it to be.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr sparked controversy last week when he claimed on local radio that Porzingis did not have POTS, later retracting his statement and calling it a “stupid mistake.” Porzingis addressed the situation, saying, “It wasn’t ideal… because it put something out again.” He reassured Kerr that he understood the intent behind the comments.
Looking ahead, Porzingis will sit out the game against the Utah Jazz on Monday as part of a back-to-back schedule. He is expected to return to action when the Warriors face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. With approximately 20 games remaining in the regular season, Porzingis is eager to increase his playing time and build momentum as the playoffs approach. “I want to catch a really good rhythm and see if we can do anything in the postseason,” he said, emphasizing his determination to contribute to his team’s success.
