Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered important information regarding Kristaps Porziņģis’ current injury on Tuesday night ahead of their game in New Orleans. Porziņģis has been sidelined due to illness, but Kerr indicated there have been signs of progress and the team remains cautiously optimistic about his return for the upcoming matchup.
“He’s just been really sick, but making some improvements, so we’ll see how he is.”
?Steve Kerr, Head Coach
Porziņģis’ Limited Play Since Joining the Warriors
Kristaps Porziņģis joined the Golden State Warriors on February 5, 2026, in a mid-season trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks. The Warriors aimed to strengthen their frontcourt by adding Porziņģis, hoping he could provide the team with enhanced rim protection and floor spacing alongside star guard Stephen Curry. However, Porziņģis’ injury record has raised concerns among analysts and fans alike.
During the 2025-26 NBA season, Porziņģis played only 17 games with the Atlanta Hawks due to recurring issues with his left Achilles tendon and illness-related absences. The previous season with the Boston Celtics was similarly affected, as he appeared in just 42 games. Since the trade, Porziņģis has seen limited court action, making his Warriors debut on February 19 against the Boston Celtics, contributing 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench. Unfortunately, his illness has kept him out of subsequent games.
Current State of Warriors’ Injury Challenges
The Warriors currently hold a 30-27 record, sitting in a precarious position regarding playoff contention with a play-in tournament berth still attainable. However, injuries have complicated their efforts to build momentum. In addition to Porziņģis, key players including Al Horford, Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler III are also managing their own injuries, placing pressure on the team’s depth and rotation.
Despite these setbacks, Kerr remains hopeful and focused on maintaining team cohesion, emphasizing the importance of navigating this injury phase to keep Golden State competitive.
Significance of Porziņģis’ Recovery for Warriors’ Aspirations
Porziņģis’ health and availability are critical factors for Golden State’s playoff hopes. His ability to contribute interior defense and spacing could significantly affect the team’s performance during the crucial final stretch of the season. With the Warriors chasing a postseason opportunity, monitoring his recovery closely will be a priority for Kerr and the coaching staff.
“He's just been really sick, but making some improvements, so we'll see how he is.”
Here in New Orleans, Warriors coach Steve Kerr says Kristaps Porzingis has just been dealing with “just an illness” and hopes he can play on Saturday.
No minutes limit for Draymond Green. pic.twitter.com/UsgS81D5Z3
— Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) February 24, 2026
