Warriors' Porziņģis out indefinitely with health issue

The Golden State Warriors will begin the season without Kristaps Porziņģis, who remains out indefinitely because of an unspecified health issue. The team gave no timetable for his return in a statement on Wednesday.

Porziņģis missed all of training camp and the Warriors’ preseason games to date. He returned to the team’s practice facility on Tuesday for the first time this fall, but is not yet ready to return to the court.

Porziņģis says he is improving

In a social media post, Porziņģis said he was working with doctors and experts to regain his health. “Honestly, I’m getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon,” he wrote.

He also described the difficulty of dealing with a problem that has not been clearly identified, alongside injuries he has experienced during his career. Responding to people speculating about his condition online, he said he was “in the best hands” and rejected rumours that he had HIV or AIDS.

The Warriors said Porziņģis met general manager Mike Dunleavy and vice president of player health and performance Dr. Rick Celebrini at the facility on Tuesday. The club said the details of their meeting would remain private.

“Porziņģis will remain out indefinitely due to the same health-related matter but will be around the team,” the Warriors said. It added that an update on practice, playing status or a possible timeline would come when available and appropriate.

Porziņģis signed a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason. The Warriors acquired him in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks ahead of last year’s trade deadline, and he averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 15 games for Golden State.

Warriors await a frontcourt return

Porziņģis has dealt with injury and health problems before. During his time with the Boston Celtics, he was sidelined while experiencing fatigue and was later diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. The Warriors have not specified the cause of his current absence.

His continued absence leaves Golden State without a player expected to take on a major role this season. Al Horford and Charles Bassey are the other centre options on the roster beyond Draymond Green, while rookie Yaxel Lendeborg could feature at the four spot in smaller line-ups after impressing in the preseason.

For now, Porziņģis can be around the team, but the Warriors have not said when he might practise or play again.