Warriors Center Porzingis Steps Away From Basketball to Prioritize Health
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced on Friday, November 6, that he is stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health. In a statement posted on social media, he wrote: "This season I was really looking forward to running it with this group, but as I ramped up, my body didn't respond the way I anticipated. I'm doing good, but I know what it takes, and I'm not where I want to be to perform at the level that I expect from myself. At this point, I've made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love."
The 31-year-old Latvian has been dealing with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), an autoimmune-related condition that first became an issue late in the 2024-25 season with the Boston Celtics. He has not played a game this season and missed training camp and the preseason. Porzingis did not use the word "retirement" in his statement and left open a possible return; he said he hopes to work with the Warriors "to find a solution that makes sense."
Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million extension with the Warriors this summer, worth $20 million in its first season. ESPN reported on November 4 that the Warriors had withheld his pay, saying he was not rendering services, and the team is exploring trades; most players become trade-eligible after December 15. Porzingis helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship in 2024, was traded to Golden State at the February deadline, and appeared in 15 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Source: Reuters
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