Kristaps Porzingis rejoins Warriors after two-week absence; no timeline for return

Kristaps Porzingis returned to the Golden State Warriors practice facility on Tuesday afternoon, ending a two-week absence from the team during the start of the 2026-27 preseason. While his presence marks a step toward reintegration, the center’s availability for the upcoming regular season remains uncertain.

Upon his arrival on October 13, Porzingis met with General Manager Mike Dunleavy and Director of Sports Medicine Rick Celebrini. The meeting comes as the organization continues to manage what has been described as a private health issue that kept the 7-foot-3 center away from the team’s initial training camp activities and early exhibition games.

Porzingis met with the Warriors' medical staff to discuss his path back to basketball activities.

Medical Status and Recovery Timeline

Despite Porzingis being back in the building, head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that there is currently no specific timeline for his return to on-court basketball activities. The team has remained guarded regarding the specifics of his condition, though reports have indicated that Porzingis is dealing with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

The Warriors are scheduled to open the regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 21. With less than ten days remaining before the opener, Kerr appears to be preparing for a rotation that does not feature his primary rim protector. The coaching staff is currently leaning toward a starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Draymond Green.

Financial Context and Roster Composition

The Warriors’ approach to Porzingis’ health reflects the cautious nature of the contract he signed this past summer. After acquiring him from the Atlanta Hawks in February 2026 in a trade that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Hawks, Golden State re-signed Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million deal.

The structure of that agreement provides the franchise with significant financial protection. While he is set to earn $20 million annually, only $3 million of his salary for the 2027-28 season is guaranteed. This low guarantee in the second year highlights the team’s awareness of the long-term health risks associated with his current absence. Until Porzingis cleared for full contact, the Warriors are expected to continue utilizing Draymond Green in a small-ball center role or relying on their younger frontcourt depth to fill the void.

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