Golden State Warriors remain uncertain about Kristaps Porzingis’s location and health as the new NBA season unfolds. The 7-foot-2 center has not been seen around the Chase Center, leaving the team and the broader league without clear information on his status.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said on Thursday that Porzingis was not present at practice and that he had no precise knowledge of the player’s whereabouts. “He's not here, today – I have not,” Kerr stated. The coach added he planned to check in with Porzingis later that day but admitted, “No,” when asked if the team had a solid understanding of what Porzingis is dealing with health-wise.
General manager Mike Dunleavy confirmed in late September that Porzingis would be out indefinitely due to a health issue. A day later, Kerr described the situation as “day-to-day,” but nine days on, the picture remains unclear. Al Horford, who played alongside Porzingis in Boston for two seasons, said he had yet to speak with him and that “we just don't have much information.”
Porzingis joined the Warriors in a February trade for Jonathan Kuminga, and the franchise invested heavily in him, signing a two-year, $40 million deal with a player option for 2027-28. That contract includes a $20.5 million salary for the second year, which becomes fully guaranteed only on July 7. Dunleavy noted in August that Porzingis had faced “a tough few years” but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to support him for a healthier season. “He adds a lot to our team. He's a unique player,” Dunleavy said.
The Warriors hoped Porzingis would help transform their offense by spreading the floor with his shooting. He has a career three-point shooting percentage of 36.4% on 5.2 attempts per game, fitting into Golden State’s strategy of starting possessions with five players spaced around the perimeter. Kerr pointed out that Porzingis had experience with similar offensive concepts during his time in Boston, suggesting the transition wouldn’t be steep.
However, Porzingis’s health struggles, including a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) revealed in a 2025 story by The Athletic, continue to cloud his availability. Kerr previously retracted a comment denying Porzingis had POTS after further review. Last season, Porzingis averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in limited action but missed several games due to what Kerr described as “a little mysterious” illness.
Golden State’s roster faces a challenge with multiple key players sidelined. Alongside Porzingis, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are also out indefinitely. The combined guaranteed salaries for these three amount to $89.3 million, over 54% of the team’s baseline salary cap space. Kerr expressed hope that Butler and Moody would return around February, but for now, the Warriors must find ways to compete.
The absence of Porzingis forces Golden State to rely on alternatives. Kerr has put 40-year-old Horford through increased conditioning, though the veteran is expected to rest during back-to-backs and other demanding stretches. The Warriors have experimented with small-ball lineups, including Draymond Green playing center, as seen in their recent game against the Lakers, but that approach has limitations against traditional 7-foot centers.
The team also looks to younger players to fill the gap. Reserve center Charles Bassey, 25, and two-way rookie Graham Ike have impressed coaches during the preseason. Kerr said, “I can tell you, I really like both Graham and Charles.” Another option might be rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, listed at 6-foot-9, who could play center in certain lineups if he develops his defensive awareness. Horford commented on Lendeborg’s potential to exploit matchups with slower-footed opponents, noting, “I think it's going to be something that we'll really be able to take advantage of.”
Despite the uncertainty around Porzingis, a source inside the Warriors described the team’s response as calm and familiar. “It’s that, ‘Okay, been here before with him,’” the source said. “‘Let's carry on.’”
As the Warriors navigate their roster challenges, the status of Kristaps Porzingis remains one of the most pressing and unresolved questions heading into the 2026-27 NBA season.
According to Yahoo Sports.