Kristaps Porzingis takes another absence from Warriors as regular season begins

Joseph Dycus, Bay Area News Group on Oct 21, 2026

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LOS ANGELES — Kristaps Porzingis will be away from the Warriors as he continues to deal with undisclosed health issues, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are not anticipating Kristaps being around the team in the immediate future,” a team statement read on the day Golden State will open its season against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

Porzingis was not around the Warriors at any point during training camp or preseason. He met with team doctor Rick Celebrini and general manager Mike Dunleavy last Tuesday, and a Warriors statement after that visit said he would “be around the team,” though he was still out indefinitely.

But he did not travel with the team to Los Angeles for the opener, and it’s unclear whether he was with the group at all over the last week.

Head coach Steve Kerr did say much more when asked about it during his pregame press conference at Crypto.com Arena.

“I don’t really have much to add on,” Kerr said. “I haven’t seen him, and we’ve stayed in touch via text and a phone call. But we put out the statement today, and there’s not much more to it. We don’t really know.”

Porzingis has dealt with various injuries over the course of his 10-year NBA career, and a year ago he revealed a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which has symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, blurry vision, weakness and a rapid heart rate.

Last Wednesday, Porzingis released his first public statement since signing his two-year, $40 million contract in July that has only $3 million guaranteed for next season.

“Honestly, I’m getting better and better,” Porzingis wrote on Twitter/X. “I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon. It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it (flex emoji) Health is wealth. Thank you for all the support (prayer emoji).”

ESPN reported on Wednesday that the Warriors have begun exploring trade possibilities with Porzingis, 31, and that he is also “contemplating his future in basketball.”

“In response to today’s media report regarding Kristaps Porzingis, we are not going to comment on trade speculation or reports regarding his health-related matter or future,” the Warriors’ press release read. “As noted last week, conversations between the Warriors, Kristaps and his representatives will remain private.”

The career 36% 3-point shooter was expected to be a major part of the Warriors’ new five-out offense, but his career is now in jeopardy.

With Porzingis out indefinitely, the Warriors’ center depth took another hit prior to the Lakers game when Charles Bassey was ruled out with right knee tendinitis.

Golden State’s center rotation is now down to Draymond Green, Al Horford and two-way contract Graham Ike.

Forwards Yaxel Lendeborg, Georges Niang and Malevy Leons can also fill in at the five in a pinch.

Brandin Podziemski also sat out Wednesday’s game, although Kerr said he hoped the guard would be available for Friday’s home opener against the Grizzlies.