Golden State Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis remains out indefinitely as the team enters the final stretch of the preseason. Head coach Steve Kerr announced Porzingis will meet with team medical staff on October 13 for an evaluation, but a return timeline is still unclear with the regular season just days away.
Porzingis has missed the entirety of training camp and the preseason due to an undisclosed illness. The team's front office and Director of Sports Medicine, Rick Celebrini, are in regular contact with the player. Despite this, there is no set date for his return to the team facility or the court. The Warriors' regular season opener is in nine days, adding urgency to his situation.
He is coming off his first year with Golden State after a trade from the Atlanta Hawks last February. In 32 games for the Warriors during the 2026 regular season, Porzingis averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. He shot 44.6% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range.
The team has handled the preseason without its starting forward, posting a 2-2 record in exhibition play. Their most recent result was a 111-106 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings on October 10. Other preseason games included a 123-118 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on October 7, a 124-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on October 6, and a 104-101 defeat to the LA Clippers on October 4.
Their final preseason test is an away game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 13. The mixed results highlight the ongoing adjustments the roster is making ahead of the real games.
The prolonged and vague nature of Porzingis's absence has sparked significant reaction online. Many fans express frustration with the daily lack of updates, suggesting the team should simply plan for his extended absence. Others question the logic behind his contract, which reportedly pays him $40 million, given his extensive injury history over 11 NBA seasons.
Comments range from calls for patience to outright criticism of the front office's decision to acquire and retain him. The 30-year-old, who was the 4th overall pick in 2015 and an All-Star in 2018, has played for six teams including the Knicks, Mavericks, Celtics and Wizards.
The immediate focus is the October 13 evaluation. That meeting with medical staff could provide the first concrete information on a potential return process. Until then, Coach Kerr and his staff must continue to prepare lineups that do not include the seven-foot-three Latvian.
His absence creates a major hole in both the starting lineup and the team's frontcourt depth. The Warriors will need others to step up in rebounding and interior defense if this situation lingers into the regular season. All eyes will be on the medical report following the Lakers preseason finale.
