After missing time due to illness, Kristaps Porzingis is beginning to show why the Warriors targeted him before last month’s trade deadline, as Nick Friedell of The Athletic writes.
He has appeared in five of the last seven games, putting up 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals in just under 23 minutes per contest.
“Now I’m healthy, and now I’m actually feeling good,” Porzingis said. “I’m getting a real good feeling about basketball again, which is the most important. Because everything else kind of goes into second place when you’re not feeling perfect. It’s just natural I think to feel that way, and now when I’m actually getting my legs back, getting into good shape, it’s a good reminder why I love this. Just enjoying playing again.”
Friedell notes that Porzingis admitted after Wednesday’s loss to Boston that he’s still not at full strength, estimating he’s around 60 percent of his peak form, though he continues to feel better with each game.
“I think I’m already now where I can contribute decently,” the player said. “But I think like four or five more games – I know I said that three games ago, but four or five more games, and then I feel like I’ll really be close and pretty good shape. Obviously, in the season it’s not ideal, but my overall feel, I see the trajectory now. So, for me, I’m kinda convinced that I’m headed in the right direction.”
Head coach Steve Kerr also suggested there’s a real possibility Porzingis could remain with Golden State beyond this season, according to Dan Dempster of NBC Sports Bay Area, speaking on 95.7 FM’s Willard and Dibs show.
“I think the whole point in trading for him a couple weeks back was that we get the end of this season to make a run to see what he can do, see what we can do with him and pair him with Steph (Curry),” Kerr explained. “And he’s an unrestricted free agent after this season, but he’s our guy, and we get to show him what we have to offer him. We get to know each other.
“I think ideally, for everybody, he would re-sign and come back healthy and be an important player for us for many years.”
Warriors Notes: Porzingis, Kerr, Curry, Melton, Moody, More https://t.co/GRm4iQ3UQm pic.twitter.com/wUB6FUIo0T
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 19, 2026
