Kristaps Porzingis is traveling with the Golden State Warriors on their upcoming three-game road trip, but is set to miss at least the team’s first game against the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Reporting for ESPN, Anthony Slater confirmed the news, as Porzingis has already missed five games in a row after his early February trade deadline acquisition.
“Kristaps Porzingis remains out for a sixth straight game tomorrow night in Houston,” he wrote in a post on X. “Did make the trip with the Warriors.”
Porzingis has played in just one game for Golden State since arriving at the team.
Warriors Get Kristaps Porzingis Update
Porzingis is currently dealing with what head coach Steve Kerr described as a mystery illness. He hasn’t suited up since February 19th, and still has no timeline for a return.
In a separate post, Slater wrote that while Porzingis is set to travel with the Warriors, it’s uncertain whether he’ll play in any of the team’s next three games.
“Kristaps Porzingis is making the trip with the Warriors to Houston today, I’m told,” Slater wrote, before the big man was officially ruled out. “No word yet on his playing status for next three (at Rockets, at Thunder, at Jazz) but notable development after staying back last road trip. He’s missed last five games with general illness.”
Upon his arrival at the Warriors, Porzingis was dealing with several health concerns, but the latest update signals he is still dealing with the illness that has kept him out for all but one game since early January, when he was still with the Atlanta Hawks.
Golden State will have a decision to make about Porzingis’ future this summer, as he is set to become a free agent this offseason. While it’s still uncertain what the front office will choose to do with the injury-riddled and sick seven-footer, resigning him hasn’t been ruled out.
“They could look to give both him and (Draymond) Green inflated salaries on a one or two-year deal for a potential All-Star trade,” Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron wrote. “Perhaps they could have both players’ salaries in the high $20 million range, making it easier for them to salary match for a max player like (Giannis) Antetokounmpo.”
For now, Porzingis remains out, with no return timeline set.
Warriors Injury Report
Along with Porzingis, Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Will Richard, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Seth Curry, and LJ Cryer are all listed on the Warriors’ injury report.
Per Slater, while they were originally questionable, both Moody and Richard will miss the team’s next game against the Rockets.
Butler, the two Curry brothers, and Cryer are all set to miss more time, while Payton still has an uncertain status after sitting on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers with an ankle injury.
But while Golden State is still waiting on any confirmation about Porzingis’ long-term status, the franchise centerpiece in Curry remains the biggest issue facing the team. He hasn’t played since late January and doesn’t have a timeline for a return from his knee injury, but is set to be re-evaluated in about a week.
However, with the Warriors’ poor form and the unknown full scope of Curry’s injury, there have been talks about keeping the guard out for longer than originally expected.
“Given their position in the West standings, the Warriors have zero reason to rush Curry back,” Brett Siegel wrote for ClutchPoints.com. “Having Steph available for the play-in tournament will be essential, as will ensuring he is 100 percent healthy for whoever they possibly face in a first-round playoff series.”
As of March 4th, the Warriors have a 31-30 record and look destined to be in the play-in tournament. Injuries and health concerns have devastated the lineup this season, and though there weren’t major expectations of a championship push to begin the year, any hopes of a deep playoff run have been all but ruled out.
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