Kristaps Porzingis showed flashes of his former self.
He was active on both ends of the court, facilitating Stephen Curry’s scoring and teaming up with Draymond Green defensively.
In Wednesday’s game against the Clippers, right before the Warriors faced elimination from the play-in tournament, Porzingis scored 20 points (8-of-12 shooting, 3-of-6 from three-point range), alongside five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and two blocks.
This is the caliber of performance the Warriors anticipated when they traded for him from Atlanta, sending out Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield before the February 5 NBA trade deadline. But, strangely enough, this level of play became rare this season.
Porzingis only participated in 15 of 31 games due to health challenges, including issues linked to POTS, and he rarely played with Curry, who was sidelined for 27 games due to runner’s knee.
This summer, he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent, and while the Warriors hope to bring him back, it would require him to accept a substantial pay cut from the two-year, $60 million extension he signed with Boston in 2023.
What are his thoughts on a possible return to Golden State?
“That’s a good question,” he said in a recent exclusive interview. “Honestly, I love my time here. I can’t say anything negative about the organization, the team, or my teammates. My time here has been great, truly.”
“As I mentioned before, I didn’t have my best year. If things had gone better, I think I would be more certain about my future. This offseason will be vital for me; I need to step back and evaluate the overall picture to determine the best path forward.”
The Warriors also faced challenges this season.
After losing Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL in January, they aimed to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline. But once it became clear that the Bucks weren’t willing to part with their superstar, the Warriors pivoted to Porzingis, hoping to salvage their season.
When he’s in top form, Porzingis shines as an All-Star, excelling on both offense and defense. However, his long-term health struggles have hindered his ability to demonstrate this consistently.
Porzingis started dealing with his illness during his last season with the Celtics, which zapped his energy. He couldn’t tap into the dominance he displayed while leading the Celtics to a championship in 2024, where he averaged 20 points and nearly two blocks per game.
Since then, he has been adjusting his play style to accommodate his symptoms, often sitting out games after showing promise. This inconsistency complicates the rhythm crucial to basketball.
“This is a chapter of my career,” Porzingis shared. “I’ve often felt limited by various issues. Playing at full capacity is a rarity, to be honest. There’s usually something for everyone.”
“I’ve gotten used to this feeling many times. Getting back into a groove after being sidelined is key. I’ve learned how to quickly re-enter that mindset. Mentally staying engaged is just as important. When I get a chance to play, I’ll be ready. I’ve developed a knack for it.”
This adaptability became essential.
Porzingis played in only 17 games with the Hawks before his trade to the Warriors. The prior season with the Celtics saw him in 42 games.
Upon joining the Warriors on February 7, he expressed hope about consistent playing time. “I believe it will happen,” he said back then. However, he ended up participating in only about half of the games, putting up career-low numbers: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks over 23.7 minutes.
Nevertheless, the Warriors appreciated his contributions.
“Kristaps was impressive,” said Coach Steve Kerr after their loss to the Suns while Porzingis dealt with ankle soreness. “He transformed our team with his shooting range and shot-blocking.”
Porzingis knows he can step up further.
“Honestly, I’m still working on getting back into peak shape,” he noted.
In a March 16 game against the Wizards, he tallied 30 points on 8-of-13 shooting, plus five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks. Sadly, without Butler, the Warriors fell to 10th place in the Western Conference, struggling to gain traction amid injuries.
Currently, the future seems murky for the Warriors. Questions abound—Will Kerr stay on as coach? Is Curry set to sign an extension? What about Green or Butler? Can they land a major star this summer? Is this the end of an era?
Amid all this uncertainty, one question remains: What will Porzingis decide?
Right now, his confidence seems shaken.
Yet for one night, he was reminded of his capabilities alongside teammates. Porzingis thrived next to Curry, who scored 35 points, and Green, who provided lockdown defense against Kawhi Leonard. Together, they looked like contenders, delivering a moment of joy in an otherwise challenging season.
For Porzingis, it was a much-needed boost.
He knows his potential, and he made sure those around him noticed.
“Honestly, [Wednesday] felt like a significant step forward for me,” Porzingis reflected. “I really pulled it together. This is definitely a positive move in the right direction.”
