Kristaps Porzingis Returns to Action with Warriors After Health Struggles
Oklahoma City – After missing six games due to health issues, Kristaps Porzingis made his return to the court on Saturday night. Playing his second game with the Golden State Warriors, he scored nine points in a 104-97 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Porzingis shared his thoughts after the game, saying, “I felt like my body is coming back to what it needs to be.” He mentioned that he had been feeling good after a recent workout before the game.
In 23 minutes of play against the Thunder, Porzingis also contributed five rebounds, five assists, and made one block. He expressed optimism about his health, stating, “I believe I will be healthy now. This is what I really feel.”
The Warriors acquired Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade earlier this month. He had been preparing for his debut over the All-Star break, where he played 17 minutes against the Boston Celtics. However, shortly after, he experienced a setback, waking up sick and then missing multiple games as the team worked to address ongoing health concerns.
Following a virus he caught last February, Porzingis was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that can lead to increased heart rates and fatigue.
Porzingis has kept details about his health struggles private but recognized how they have impacted his performance, noting he played just 17 games with the Hawks.
“Especially getting traded, I wanted to be on the court as soon as possible,” he said. “Sitting out was tough for me, but today was okay. I felt a little heavy, and my shot wasn’t in a good rhythm yet.”
Golden State’s coach, Steve Kerr, stirred some controversy recently when he commented on Porzingis’ health, initially stating he didn’t have POTS. He later retracted that statement, calling it a mistake. Porzingis addressed the situation, saying it wasn’t ideal but understood Kerr’s intentions.
Looking ahead, Porzingis will sit out Monday’s game in Utah, as the Warriors aim to manage his workload. He plans to play on Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls and hopes to increase his minutes as the playoffs approach.
With only about 20 games left in the season, Porzingis expressed his desire to find a good rhythm and contribute to the team’s postseason efforts. “I want to catch a really good rhythm and see if we can do anything in the postseason,” he said.
