Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors
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Kristaps Porzingis of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball while being defended.
The Golden State Warriors are set to get a key frontcourt piece back.
Kristaps Porziņģis has been cleared to play in his third game with the Warriors and is no longer listed on the NBA’s official injury report ahead of Tuesday’s home matchup against the Chicago Bulls.
Porziņģis was previously ruled out for Monday’s 119-116 loss against the Utah Jazz due to illness management as Golden State wrapped up its three-game road trip.
But Warriors head coach Steve Kerr revealed before Monday’s loss in Utah that Porziņģis and veteran big man Al Horford flew back to the Bay Area early to prepare for Tuesday’s game.
The development clears the way for Porziņģis to appear in his third game with Golden State since the team acquired him earlier this season.
Kristaps Porziņģis Cleared After Missing Warriors-Jazz Game
Golden State’s decision to send Porziņģis back to San Francisco ahead of the Jazz game reflects the team’s cautious approach to managing the 7-foot-3 forward-center’s health.
Porziņģis has appeared in only two games since joining the Warriors, as the organization has carefully monitored his workload after an extended stretch of health issues.
His most recent appearance came Saturday in Golden State’s 104–97 loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
In that game, Porziņģis recorded nine points, five rebounds, five assists and one block in 23 minutes off the bench, offering glimpses of the versatility the Warriors hoped to add when they traded for him.
Through his first two games with Golden State, Porziņģis is averaging 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in about 20 minutes per game.
Porziņģis Says His Body Is Finally Responding
Following Saturday’s game, Porziņģis expressed optimism that his body is finally trending in the right direction.
“I felt like my body is coming back to what it needs to be,” Porziņģis said. “One workout before the game and I felt pretty decent.”
The former All-Star has dealt with intermittent health concerns over the past several months, which have slowed his integration into Golden State’s rotation.
Still, Porziņģis believes he is finally turning a corner.
“I believe I will be healthy now,” he said. “This is what I really feel. Not to sell anything because I’ve been in and out, out again. But this time, I really feel this is it.”
Before Saturday’s Thunder game, Porziņģis also warmed up ahead of Golden State’s matchup with the Houston Rockets and participated in practice the following day — further signs that his conditioning is improving.
Warriors Hoping Porziņģis Provides Size, Shooting and Rim Protection
Golden State acquired Porziņģis earlier this season in a move designed to strengthen several areas of the roster.
The Warriors sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in the deal that brought the versatile big man to the Bay Area.
The organization believes Porziņģis can provide much-needed size, floor spacing and rim protection — elements that have sometimes been lacking in Golden State’s frontcourt.
Availability, however, has often been the biggest question surrounding the talented center throughout his career.
So far with the Warriors, he has been available for only two of the nine games since the trade.
Tuesday’s contest against Chicago will mark an opportunity for Porziņģis to continue building rhythm with his new teammates.