The Golden State Warriors needed someone to step up. A five-game losing streak. A depleted roster. Another road game on a brutal six-game trip. The pressure was mounting, and the margin for error was shrinking.
Enter Kristaps Porzingis.
On Monday night at Capital One Arena, the 7-foot-3 Latvian delivered his best performance since joining the Warriors, erupting for 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks in just 26 minutes off the bench. It was a dominant, efficient, and frankly breathtaking display of basketball that snapped the losing streak and gave Warriors fans a glimpse of what this team can be when healthy.
But it was what Porzingis said after the game that truly captured the imagination.
“This Is the GOAT”
When asked about the prospect of playing alongside Stephen Curry—who remains sidelined with a knee injury—Porzingis didn’t hesitate. His response was immediate, emphatic, and impossible to ignore.
“Oh man, this is the GOAT,” Porzingis said. “To play with somebody like that, it’s gonna be unbelievable. Obviously, from playing against him, I know what type of player he is and the gravity he brings. It just opens everything up for everybody else. So hopefully, he will be back with us soon.”
Calling someone the Greatest of All Time before you’ve even shared the floor with them is a bold statement. But coming from Porzingis—a player who has faced Curry numerous times over his career—it carries weight. He knows what Curry does to defenses. He knows the chaos Curry creates simply by existing on the court.
And he can’t wait to be a part of it.
The Performance
Before dreaming about the future, let’s appreciate what Porzingis did in the present.
In 26 minutes, he was unstoppable. He shot 8-of-13 from the field, attempted a season-high 14 free throws, and scored 10 straight points late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. He protected the rim, stretched the floor, and showed exactly why the Warriors acquired him.
For a player who has appeared in just 21 games this season after battling a mysterious illness, this was a statement. Porzingis is healthy. Porzingis is ready. And when Curry returns, the combination could be devastating.
History Made
Porzingis didn’t just have a great night—he made history.
Among Golden State centers in their first five games with the franchise, only Wilt Chamberlain has scored more points. That’s it. Just Wilt. The man who scored 100 points in a single game. The man who averaged 50 points per game for an entire season.
Porzingis is now averaging 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks per contest in his first five games as a Warrior, shooting 45.9% from the field. Those numbers alone are impressive. But being mentioned in the same breath as Chamberlain? That’s rarefied air.
He also joined an exclusive club on Monday, becoming just one of six players this season to record 30+ points, 3+ blocks, and 14+ free throw attempts in a single game. The others? Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Jalen Duren. That’s elite company.
The Supporting Cast
Porzingis wasn’t alone in the victory. De’Anthony Melton added 27 points, providing the kind of two-way stability that makes him such a valuable asset. Gui Santos contributed 18 points with a game-high plus-20 differential, continuing his emergence as a reliable rotation piece.
The Warriors improved to 33-35, still ninth in the Western Conference, but now just one game back of eighth with 14 games remaining. The play-in tournament is within reach. A higher seed is possible. And with Porzingis playing like this, anything feels possible.
Kerr’s Praise
Head coach Steve Kerr was full of admiration for his new big man after the game.
“He’s gotten his legs underneath him,” Kerr said. “You could see it. He just scores so easily. Really closed the game tonight with his free throws. He’s quite a talent.”
Kerr also couldn’t resist noting the irony of the schedule. “We’re playing every one of his former teams. The Knicks, Washington, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas. Players usually get up for playing against their old team and I think that’s the case with Kristaps.”
Monday was the Washington stop on what Kerr called the “Porzingis reunion tour.” Next up? Boston—the site of Porzingis’ 2024 championship celebration.
What’s Next
The Warriors will travel to Boston for a Wednesday night showdown with the Celtics at TD Garden. It’s a chance for Porzingis to face his former team, a chance for the Warriors to measure themselves against one of the East’s best, and a chance to build on the momentum of Monday’s win.
And when Curry eventually returns—whether later this road trip or shortly after—the Warriors will finally get to see what their offense looks like with two 7-footers who can shoot, defend, and create.
Porzingis called Curry the GOAT. Soon, they’ll share the floor. And if Monday was any indication, the rest of the league should be very, very worried.