News Article
Published
Oct 22, 2026 at 10:50 AM EDT
Stephen Curry has acknowledged the growing concern surrounding Kristaps Porzingis as the Golden State Warriors navigate an uncertain start to the season.
He understands that the center's absence creates a major challenge for a team already dealing with several injuries.
...
Curry's comments highlight a problem Golden State hoped to solve when it brought Porzingis into the fold. His size, shooting and rim protection were expected to give the Warriors a different look in the frontcourt.
But now the team is still waiting for clarity on when he can return.
“It’s a hard one for all reasons. Personally, first and foremost. Then us as a team… We always said availability was a big factor for our team. It’s no secret that (center) spot was an important one for us.” Steph said in the post game conference.
Porzingis has yet to play this season after missing training camp and the entire preseason because of an unspecified health issue. The Warriors announced that he would remain out indefinitely, with no timetable for his return. Porzingis has said he is working with doctors and experts to address the problem.
Golden State had hoped the 7-foot-2 center would provide a reliable interior presence alongside Curry and Draymond Green.
Instead, the team entered the season without Porzingis, Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, all sidelined by health issues. That has left Green with added responsibilities in the frontcourt.
The Warriors' season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday offered a difficult test. Los Angeles won 127-105 behind Luka Doncic's 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Curry scored 23 points, including 20 in the first half, but Golden State was outscored 36-16 in the third quarter.
Porzingis' absence was particularly notable as the Warriors struggled to contain the Lakers after halftime. His combination of rim protection and perimeter shooting could have given Golden State another option at both ends of the floor.