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Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics watches a free throw against the Chicago Bulls.
The Golden State Warriors entered Wednesday night at Chase Center with their roster depleted. Stephen Curry remained out. Jimmy Butler III is sidelined until next season. Kristaps Porzingis still hasn’t played a game since the trade deadline deal that brought him from Atlanta.
The shorthanded Warriors gave the San Antonio Spurs everything they had for three quarters in their final contest before the All-Star break. They carried a double-digit advantage deep into the second half before San Antonio’s talent eventually overwhelmed them in a 126-113 defeat.
After the loss, one Warriors guard spoke about what the team has been missing, and what reinforcements could bring.
What a Healthy Porzingis Brings
After the loss, Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton was asked what Kristaps Porzingis could provide once he’s cleared to play.
“Kristaps can do so much,” Melton said. “He’s a matchup nightmare for a lot of teams. It’s going to be huge for us.”
Melton has watched up close as Porzingis works his way back. What he’s observed has him optimistic about what the seven-footer will contribute.
Golden State sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta to acquire Porzingis’ combination of size, shooting, and defensive ability. The Warriors have lacked a genuine interior presence all season. They’ve also missed having a legitimate rim protector who can step beyond the arc and knock down threes consistently.
Porzingis solved both problems in Boston. The Warriors need that same impact.
Kerr Provides Injury Updates
Warriors HC Steve Kerr discussed both Porzingis and Curry following Wednesday’s defeat, offering encouraging words about each player’s recovery. Regarding Porzingis, Kerr noted visible improvement in his movement and conditioning.
“Kristaps played today and was moving better than yesterday,” Kerr said. “Seemed to be in a good rhythm.”
Porzingis last appeared in an NBA game on January 7 while still with Atlanta. Complications from Achilles tendinitis combined with an illness have kept him unavailable. Golden State shut him down through the All-Star break rather than risk setbacks by rushing his return.
The Warriors visit Boston on February 19 in what could mark Porzingis’ first game in a Golden State uniform.
Kerr also addressed Curry’s status, indicating the star guard is progressing.
“I talked to Steph earlier, and he said he was feeling better,” Kerr said. “He’s trending in a good direction. He’ll be day-to-day when he comes back.”
Curry’s absence has forced Golden State to lean heavily on secondary options. Having both him and Porzingis available after the break would fundamentally alter the team’s capabilities.
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who is injured, reacts on the bench with coach Steve Kerr.
Melton’s Performance Not Enough for Warriors
De’Anthony Melton turned in one of his best performances of the season on Wednesday, connecting on six of seven field goal attempts while dishing out 7 assists and scoring 17 points. His efficiency and playmaking kept the Warriors competitive deep into the contest.
Draymond Green also had an exceptional night, posting 17 points alongside 12 rebounds and eight assists. Moses Moody chipped in 17 points as well.
But Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox proved too much down the stretch. Wembanyama tallied 26 points with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Fox paced all scorers with 27 points while adding 8 assists.
The Warriors held their own for 36 minutes. The final 12 exposed their lack of depth and firepower without their stars.
GettyDe’Anthony Melton of the Golden State Warriors in action.
Final Word for the Warriors
Golden State enters the All-Star break at 29-26, positioned eighth in the Western Conference standings. They face a challenging path to secure a top-six seed and bypass the play-in tournament.
Help is coming. Curry appears close to returning. Porzingis is making progress toward his debut.
Melton’s comments about Porzingis weren’t empty optimism. The defensive versatility and offensive skill set are legitimate when he’s healthy.
Whether Porzingis can stay healthy remains Golden State’s biggest question heading into the second half.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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