Kristaps Porzingis said he began feeling back spasms in the first quarter vs. the Pistons and, although he could move while warm, the tightness worsened after the game. He believes the soreness should go away quickly.
The Golden State Warriors lost 115-101 to the Detroit Pistons on Friday, but the bigger concern was losing Kristaps Porzingis early in the game because of a back injury.
Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis
MIN: 23.65
PTS: 16.96 (55.78%)
REB: 4.83
AS: 2.7
ST: 0.65
BL: 1.48
TO: 1.04
GM: 23
Porzingis went to the locker room midway through the second quarter after playing just 11 minutes and scoring five points.
He walked slowly off the court with the Warriors' medical staff after appearing to grab his lower back while sitting on the bench.
The Warriors later described the issue as lower back soreness.
"I kind of started feeling it from the first quarter," Porzingis told reporters after the game. "It started spasming up a bit, and I tried to move, and while I was warm, I was okay. But even on that one play, I kind of felt a little spasm."
When asked whether he had dealt with back issues before, the Latvian star said it had happened earlier in his career.
"Early in my career, a little bit, but honestly, I've been pretty good about managing and keeping my back strong, so I'm sure it will go away pretty quickly," Porzingis said.
"I feel alright, a little tight now," he added. "Once I cooled down, it tightened up even more. But I'm sure it'll get going soon."
The Warriors will face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday in the second game of a back-to-back. Porzingis said he will "probably" not play in Atlanta.
"We'll see. Maybe it loosens up tomorrow, and who knows, but right now it's pretty stiff."
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, meanwhile, noted the issue appeared to worsen after contact during the game.
"I saw him [post-game], and he said it was his back that had started to tighten up, and then there was the play where the ball was deflected off his hand, he got a little push in the back, and that aggravated it a little bit," Kerr said. "But I don't know anything beyond that."
Since joining the Warriors this season, Porzingis has averaged 14.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in seven games following the trade.
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