The Warriors lost by a score of 104-97.
Kristaps Porzingis returned to action after a long absence, and he finished with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and one block while shooting 3/10 from the field and 0/3 from three-point range in 23 minutes of playing time.
Warriors Announce New Plan For Kristaps Porzingis
Following the game, head coach Steve Kerr revealed that Porzingis will likely miss their next game (but play in the following one).
ESPN’s Anthony Slater wrote: “Warriors’ current plan is to rest Kristaps Porzingis on Monday night in Utah and play him on Tuesday at home against the Bulls. He stretched to 23 minutes tonight and told Kerr postgame he felt fine.”
Porzingis came into the night with averages of 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest while shooting 46.1% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range in 18 games for the Warriors and Hawks.
He has also spent time playing for the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks over 11 seasons.
If Porzingis (and Steph Curry) can return to full health, the Warriors would have a very intriguing lineup in the postseason.
Underdog NBA wrote (on February 4): “Warriors potential starting lineup: Stephen Curry Brandin Podziemski Moses Moody Draymond Green Kristaps Porzingis”
Golden State Warriors This Season
With their loss to the Thunder, the Warriors dropped to 32-31 in 63 games, which has them as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
They have won four out of their last ten games (and are 13-18 in 31 games away from the Chase Center).
Nick Friedell wrote: “Porzingis said he is feeling better and he has peace of mind now that he can start moving forward health-wise. He believes that his illness is behind him. He knows he’s gassed right now — but he sounds confident that he can start building up his wind again from here.”
Following OKC, the Warriors will play their next game when they visit the Utah Jazz on Monday night in Salt Lake City.