Warriors’ Kristaps Porzingis Makes Bold Claim About His Health

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Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors fell 104-97 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road Saturday night. But the result was almost secondary to what happened around it.

Kristaps Porzingis was back.

The 7-foot-3 Latvian played his second game as a Warrior after missing six straight with a prolonged illness, finishing with nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and a block in 23 minutes. The numbers were modest. The message afterward was anything but.

Porzingis Opens Up on His Health

GettyKristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors.

Speaking to reporters after the loss, Porzingis was candid about how difficult the recent stretch had been — and why he is finally feeling optimistic about what lies ahead.

“I felt like my body is coming back to where it needs to be,” Porzingis said. “Obviously, got one workout in, but it was pretty decent.”

The frustration of watching from the sideline after joining a new team mid-season was not lost on him either.

“Especially after getting traded, I just wanted to return as soon as possible, so it was stinging me a little bit to miss a streak of games,” he said. “But it was okay today.”

He acknowledged he is not yet at full capacity, but the direction is encouraging.

“I still feel a little bit heavy, shots are not in good rhythm yet, but it will get better with each game,” Porzingis said. “Just some health stuff, a little bit. And I believe I will be healthy now. This is what I really feel. Not to sell anything, because obviously I’ve been in and out, and out again, but this time I really feel that this is it.”

Why This Matters for the Warriors

GettySteve Kerr, Golden State Warriors.

Draymond Green summed it up simply after the game. “The game’s a lot easier when he’s on the floor.“

That is the crux of it. Porzingis gives the Warriors something they cannot replicate elsewhere on the roster. He is a smooth shooter who can operate well beyond the arc, a finisher who punishes smaller defenders in the post, and a rim protector who alters drives and compresses the floor defensively. When Stephen Curry eventually returns, having a healthy Porzingis alongside him changes the ceiling of this team considerably.

The challenge has been getting there. Porzingis has played just 18 games this season — 17 with the Atlanta Hawks before the trade and one with Golden State prior to Saturday. His debut on February 19 against the Boston Celtics showed the potential. The illness that followed erased the momentum almost immediately.

Saturday was step two. He wants many more.

“Obviously it’s only 20 games left or so in the regular season, but I want to catch a really good rhythm and then see if we can do something in the postseason,” Porzingis said. “I’m excited to play with these guys and I look forward to getting in top shape and looking really good.”

How the Game Unfolded

Golden State had its moments against the defending champions. Gui Santos was outstanding with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Brandin Podziemski added 17 points. Green finished with 16.

The Warriors trimmed the deficit early in the third quarter and Malevy Leons drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 77 with just over four minutes remaining in the period. But Oklahoma City answered, taking an 86-83 lead into the fourth.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sealed it with a three-pointer over Green’s outstretched hand with 42 seconds left, pushing the lead to five and ending any realistic chance of a Warriors comeback. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 27 points, making 14 of 15 free throws despite converting just six of 15 field goals. It was his 125th consecutive game with at least 20 points.

Oklahoma City is now 5-0 since Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain and became the first team in the league to reach 50 wins this season.

Final Word for the Warriors

The loss stings, but the context matters. The Warriors were missing Curry, going up against the best team in the league on the road, and were still within striking distance for much of the night.

More importantly, Porzingis walked off the floor feeling better than he has in weeks. For a team building toward a playoff run, that is the most meaningful development of the night. Steve Kerr confirmed the plan is to rest Porzingis on Monday against the Utah Jazz before bringing him back Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls at Chase Center, health permitting.

Twenty games remain. Porzingis believes this time is different.

Golden State is counting on him being right.

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