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Kristaps Porzingis will have his minutes bumped up after an encouraging Golden State Warriors debut.
The Golden State Warriors are preparing to lean more heavily into their newest frontcourt piece.
After a solid but carefully managed debut, Kristaps Porziņģis is set to see his minutes increase as Golden State continues to navigate life without Stephen Curry, who remains sidelined with patellofemoral pain syndrome — commonly referred to as “runner’s knee.”
Kerr Confirms Minutes Bump After Porziņģis’ Warriors Debut
According to Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed Saturday that Porziņģis’ workload will increase beginning with Golden State’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
“Kerr says Porzingis’ minutes will get bumped up a little more against the Nuggets,” Friedell reported on X. “Kerr says Porzingis is feeling good and the training staff has cleared him to play a few more minutes. He was at 17 in his debut on Thursday.”
The decision marks a significant step in Porziņģis’ ramp-up process and underscores Golden State’s urgency as it tries to stabilize its rotation without its franchise star.
Encouraging First Look Against Former Team
Porziņģis made his Warriors debut Thursday in a 121–110 loss to the Boston Celtics, his former team, after missing 13 consecutive games before the trade and three more games post-trade while dealing with Achilles tendinitis.
In just 17 minutes, Porziņģis flashed the two-way skill set that made him such an appealing acquisition. He finished with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three-point range, while adding two blocks on the defensive end.
“Even tonight, I would’ve liked to go longer,” Porziņģis said after the game. “Even if I’m exhausted out there, I still want to push myself. But I know I have to take it step by step. Add a couple minutes next game, hopefully.”
That request has now been granted.
A Gradual Build After Achilles Tendinitis
The Warriors were always expected to take a cautious approach with Porziņģis, whose debut was delayed as he worked his way back from Achilles tendinitis — an injury that can linger if rushed.
“I want to get in perfect shape where I can go and not be a half-step late,” Porziņģis said. “Be quick, and be quick on my feet. The shot wasn’t perfect; a couple shots were a bit flat. These are things that are going to take a little bit to catch a good rhythm.”
The rust showed in subtle ways. Porziņģis recorded just one assist and committed two turnovers, both influenced by the pace and unfamiliarity of Golden State’s system. He also grabbed only one rebound, with both of his blocks coming as a help defender rather than from asserting himself in the paint.
Still, the underlying trend was encouraging.
Warriors’ Second-Half Shift Signals Progress
From a numbers standpoint, Porziņģis’ night told a clear story of adjustment.
He was minus-19 in seven minutes of the first half but flipped the script after halftime, posting a plus-15 in the 10 second-half minutes as his timing and comfort level improved.
“First game with a new team, it’s always tricky,” Kerr said. “You don’t really know your teammates. You don’t really have a feel for what’s happening. But I thought just from the first half to the second half, he just looked more comfortable and settled in.”
Porziņģis echoed that assessment.
“As the game went on, it got better and better,” he said. “This is the first step to keep building. I had some opportunities, a couple turnovers. I think it’s just a matter of time to get in a better rhythm from this point on.”
Jokic Test Awaits as Role Expands
Porziņģis’ increased minutes will come immediately with a major test: defending three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
The matchup offers a measuring stick not just for Porziņģis’ conditioning, but for how quickly he can shoulder responsibility as a scoring spacer and rim protector — roles the Warriors badly need filled with Curry out.
Veteran big man Al Horford, who previously played alongside Porziņģis in Boston, believes the best is still to come.
“I think he’ll continue to progress and get his legs more underneath him and be able to play some more,” Horford said. “Then we’ll see the real KP. For a first game after being out for so long, he did a really good job.”
A Key Piece in a Curry-Less Stretch
Golden State’s decision to expand Porziņģis’ role reflects both confidence in his health and necessity amid Curry’s absence. The Warriors need frontcourt scoring, spacing and rim protection — and Porziņģis provides all three when fully integrated.
As Kerr begins to lift the minutes restriction, the Warriors are betting that Porziņģis’ impact will grow quickly.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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