The Golden State Warriors continue battling persistent health issues: Kristaps Porziņģis – acquired from Atlanta Hawks at February deadline – remains out for a sixth straight game, at least missing the road trip opener vs Houston Rockets on Thursday (March 5, 2026). Per Anthony Slater (ESPN), Porziņģis is traveling with the team to Houston – a positive step after skipping the prior road trip – but no return timeline yet.
Slater on X (March 4, 2026): “Kristaps Porziņģis remains out for a sixth straight game tomorrow night in Houston. Did make the trip with the Warriors.” Earlier: “Kristaps Porziņģis is making the trip… No word yet on his playing status for next three (at Rockets, at Thunder, at Jazz) but notable development after staying back last road trip. He’s missed last five games with general illness.”
Porziņģis has played just 1 game for Golden State (17 minutes debut vs Boston post-All-Star break, Feb 19, 2026) – sidelined since by a mystery illness described by coach Steve Kerr as “a little mysterious.” Pre-trade, he missed time in Atlanta with similar issues (POTS rumors Kerr denied). Total: 5 games missed pre-trade + 5 with Warriors = prolonged absence.
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Current Warriors Injury Report (Slater update March 4):
- Kristaps Porziņģis — Out (general illness, no timeline).
- Stephen Curry — Out (knee patellofemoral pain/bone bruising, missed 11+ games, re-eval in ~1 week).
- Jimmy Butler — Out (ACL tear, season over).
- Moses Moody — Out (right wrist sprain from last game).
- Will Richard — Out (ankle sprain).
- Gary Payton II — Uncertain (ankle, missed vs Clippers Monday).
- Seth Curry & LJ Cryer — Out long-term.
Warriors sit at 31-30, destined for play-in tournament. Without Curry (franchise centerpiece), Butler (ACL), Porziņģis (illness) – deep playoff hopes are fading. Brett Siegel (ClutchPoints): “Warriors have zero reason to rush Curry back… Having Steph available for the play-in will be essential, as will ensuring he is 100% healthy for first-round series.” Discussions exist about shutting down Curry for the rest of the season to protect health – tough pill for fans.
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Porziņģis’ future this summer?
- Expiring $30.7M contract – unrestricted FA.
- Re-sign not ruled out: Yossi Gozlan (Third Apron) suggests Warriors could give Porziņģis & Draymond Green inflated 1-2 year deals (~high $20M range) for salary matching a max player like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- But mystery illness + just 1 game played raises huge risk – Warriors face tough call: re-sign hoping for health, or move on for cap flexibility.
Warriors in wait-and-see mode – Porziņģis traveling is a small positive, but no clear return, he may finish the season without another game. Dubs fans frustrated: “Traded Kuminga for what?” – now hoping Curry heals and Porziņģis overcomes illness.
What do you think? Porziņģis plays again this season? Warriors re-sign or cut losses? Shut down Curry for play-in health?