The Golden State Warriors’ season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers is already carrying some uncertainty, and Kristaps Porzingis is right at the center of it.
Porzingis, who the Warriors traded for in February and later signed to a two-year, $40 million deal, has been out throughout training camp and the first five preseason games because of a health-related matter. With one preseason game still left, his availability for the opener is in jeopardy.
Golden State laid out the situation in a press release, saying, “Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porziņģis, who missed training camp and the team’s first five (5) preseason games due to a health-related matter, returned to the Warriors’ practice facility yesterday and met with Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy and Vice President of Player Health & Performance Dr. Rick Celebrini,” the franchise stated in a press release.
“The specific contents of that meeting will remain private. Porzingis will remain out indefinitely due to the same health-related matter but will be around the team. An update on his status, including the potential resumption of practice, playing status, or timeline, will be provided when available and appropriate.”
That’s not the kind of update the Warriors wanted on a player they hoped would stabilize their frontcourt. Al Horford should help keep things steady, but Porzingis’ absence is a clear setback for a team that was counting on him to hold up over the course of the season.
The concern is easy to understand. Porzingis missed 50 games with the Atlanta Hawks and Warriors last season because of a mix of setbacks, and Golden State brought him in believing it was getting a more reliable version of the 31-year-old. Instead, the early returns have been rough.
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