Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis, who has been absent from the team due to ongoing health issues, has announced that he will be stepping away from basketball for the time being. In a statement shared on social media on Friday, Nov. 6, Porziņģis expressed how much he had been looking forward to the season but acknowledged that his body did not respond as expected as he prepared to play.
He shared that while he is feeling fine, he knows what it takes to perform at his desired level, and currently, he isn’t able to meet those standards. As a result, he has chosen to prioritize his health and take a break from the game he loves. It’s important to note that Porziņģis did not explicitly state that he is retiring, leaving open the possibility of a return if his health improves.
At 31 years old, Porziņģis has been battling an undisclosed illness that has kept him from joining the Warriors, missing all of training camp in late September and remaining away from the team since. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr mentioned last month that Porziņģis would be checked on by the team’s sports medicine and performance staff. Porziņģis had previously voiced frustration about frequent absences dating back to his last season with the Celtics in 2024-25, which were caused by an undiagnosed condition that left him lacking the energy and stamina needed for play.
Eventually, Porziņģis revealed he was dealing with symptoms linked to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), an autoimmune disorder, though he hasn’t provided detailed updates recently. After being traded from the Celtics to the Hawks in June 2025, he was then moved to the Warriors just eight months later, where he managed to play only 15 games. According to ESPN reports from Nov. 4, Porziņģis is not receiving his $20 million salary due to his failure to render services for the team.
Known for his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and protect the rim defensively, Porziņģis has, over a ten-year NBA career, averaged 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 533 games. In his statement, he emphasized his respect for the Warriors organization and his intention to collaborate with them on finding a suitable path forward. He also expressed gratitude toward his family, friends, and supporters, ending with a hopeful note for the future.
Fan Take: Kristaps Porziņģis stepping away from basketball is significant because it highlights the challenges players face with health issues often unseen by fans. His situation underscores the importance of prioritizing well-being over the game and serves as a reminder of the human side of professional sports.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
