The Golden State Warriors got their first glimpse of what Kristaps Porziņģis can bring to the table, but it's clear there's still a journey ahead.
In his debut with the Warriors during Thursday's 121-110 loss to the Boston Celtics, Porziņģis put up 12 points in 17 minutes. While he showed some promising moments, the effects of missing 43 days due to injury management and illness were evident.
Steve Kerr, in a chat with 95.7 The Game's "Willard & Dibs," highlighted that Porziņģis’ minutes are expected to increase gradually, with the training staff leading the way.
"Hopefully the minutes go up, but it’s all really kind of day to day," Kerr mentioned. "It was a good starting point last night -- he felt good after the game, we had a good practice today and Kristaps took part in everything."
Porziņģis’ performance hinted at his potential but also underscored some limitations. As he settled into the game, the Warriors found themselves struggling, particularly during a second-quarter push by Boston.
This situation highlights the broader challenges for the Warriors.
With Steph Curry out until at least the end of February and Jimmy Butler sidelined for the season, the Warriors are in a tricky spot. They need to balance winning now with preparing for the playoffs, and Porziņģis is a key piece in this puzzle.
Kerr elaborated, "The hope is and the plan is for the minutes to go up -- we just can’t map it out exactly."
This careful approach extends to game scheduling. Kerr hinted that Porziņģis likely won't play in upcoming back-to-back games.
"My guess is … it’s highly unlikely that Kristaps would play in that back-to-back next week," Kerr noted.
Regarding Porziņģis’ calf and Achilles concerns, Kerr is leaving it to the medical team.
"I’ve got other stuff I’ve gotta worry about," Kerr said. "He’s in the training room every day … I just know that he’s doing well, he looks good, he’s doing fine."
The Warriors are navigating a dual path: staying competitive in the standings while nurturing a player who could be pivotal for their future. After just one game, this balancing act is already apparent.