The Golden State Warriors are moving forward without Kristaps Porzingis as uncertainty continues surrounding the center’s absence due to an undisclosed illness.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Warriors are withholding payments to Porzingis while he remains away from the team. However, Golden State’s players are focused on their current roster rather than waiting for his return.
Following Thursday’s game, Draymond Green explained that the team has avoided criticizing Porzingis or allowing the situation to become a distraction.
“Since I’ve been here on this team, it’s never been about bickering, never about ‘Shame on this guy,’ ‘Shame on that guy,’” Green said. “We’ve never had that culture here. So the same goes for (Porziņgis). No one’s sitting around bashing this guy or even worried about him, for that matter. In our minds, we’ve moved forward with the players that we have here. (Does) everyone in here think he can help us? Of course. We know what type of player he is. But I don’t think anyone in here is sitting around waiting on him to walk through that door. Everybody’s moved on in their mindset.”
Golden State has recovered from an 0-3 start to the season, winning six consecutive games following Thursday’s victory. The team’s recent success has made it easier to adjust to Porzingis’ absence.
Green also revealed that the players have received limited information about the situation. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has reportedly told the team to concentrate on basketball while management handles matters involving Porzingis.
In the meantime, the Warriors are giving other players opportunities to contribute, including Charles Bassey and undrafted rookie Graham Ike.
“It’s a next man up mentality, right? That’s an opportunity for (26-year-old journeyman) Charles Bassey. That’s opportunity for (undrafted rookie) Graham Ike to get more minutes and continue to try to elevate his career,” Green added. “So you embrace those guys, and you pour into those guys, to try to help them with all that they can be helped with so that they could ultimately help this team. But you can’t sit and worry about spoiled milk.”
