The Golden State Warriors (32-30) fell 115-113 in overtime on the road to the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night, but the final score took a back seat to a much bigger development: Kristaps Porziņģis was back on the floor.
The 7-foot-3 Latvian big man played his second game as a Warrior after missing six straight due to a prolonged illness, finishing with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block in 23 minutes. The numbers were modest, but the message afterward was full of optimism.
Speaking to reporters postgame, Porziņģis was candid about the frustration of watching from the sideline after being traded mid-season:
“I felt like my body is coming back to where it needs to be. Obviously, got one workout in, but it was pretty decent.”
He admitted the extended absence stung, especially after joining a new team:
“Especially after getting traded, I just wanted to return as soon as possible, so it was stinging me a little bit to miss a streak of games. But it was okay today.”
Porziņģis acknowledged he’s not yet at full strength—“I still feel a little bit heavy, shots are not in good rhythm yet”—but expressed real confidence moving forward:
“But it will get better with each game. Just some health stuff, a little bit. And I believe I will be healthy now. This is what I really feel. Not to sell anything, because obviously I’ve been in and out, and out again, but this time I really feel that this is it.”
Embed X: https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/2030505568964575529
ESPN’s Anthony Slater captured the moment perfectly: “Kristaps Porziņģis said his recent absence was ‘stinging me a little bit’ but he feels like health issue is under control. ‘I believe I will be healthy now. This is how I really feel.’”
Draymond Green summed up Porziņģis’ impact simply: “The game’s a lot easier when he’s on the floor.”
That’s the crux. Porziņģis brings something irreplaceable: smooth shooting beyond the arc, post finishing against smaller defenders, and elite rim protection that alters drives and compresses the floor. When Stephen Curry returns, a healthy Porziņģis alongside him dramatically raises the Warriors’ ceiling.
Saturday was step two. Porziņģis wants many more.
“Obviously it’s only 20 games left or so in the regular season, but I want to catch a really good rhythm and then see if we can do something in the postseason,” he said. “I’m excited to play with these guys and I look forward to getting in top shape and looking really good.”
Steve Kerr confirmed the plan: rest Porziņģis Monday against Utah (back-to-back) before bringing him back Tuesday at Chase Center vs. Chicago, health permitting.
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
How the Game Unfolded Golden State hung tough against the defending champions despite missing Curry. Gui Santos was outstanding with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Brandin Podziemski added 17 points. Green finished with 16. The Warriors trimmed the deficit early in the third and Malevy Leons drained a three to tie it at 77 with just over four minutes left in the period. But OKC answered, taking an 86-83 lead into the fourth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sealed it with a three over Green’s outstretched hand with 42 seconds left, pushing the lead to five. Shai finished with 27 points, going 14-of-15 from the line despite 6-of-15 from the field. It was his 125th straight game with at least 20 points. OKC is now 5-0 since Shai returned from an abdominal strain and became the first team to 50 wins this season.
Final Word The loss hurts, but context matters. Warriors were missing Curry, facing the league’s best team on the road, and still stayed competitive deep into the game. More importantly, Porziņģis walked off the floor feeling better than he has in weeks. For a team building toward a playoff run, that’s the most meaningful development of the night. Twenty games remain. Porziņģis believes this time is different. Golden State is counting on him being right.
Warriors Nation, Porziņģis is back and sounding genuinely optimistic. How big is his return for this team’s ceiling? Can he find rhythm quickly enough to make a difference in the final 20? Drop your thoughts below—this stretch run just got a lot more interesting!