Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced on November 6 that he is stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health, marking the latest development in a prolonged absence tied to undisclosed medical issues.
Porzingis, who signed a two-year, $40 million extension with the Warriors this summer, has not played a game this season. The team previously stated he would be sidelined indefinitely due to an undisclosed health issue before clarifying on October 21 that he would not be with the team for the immediate future. In a statement posted on social media, Porzingis said his body has not responded as expected this season.
"I'm doing good, but I know what it takes, and I'm not where I want to be to perform at the level that I expect from myself," he wrote. "At this point, I've made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love."
Porzingis, who has played for six NBA teams over 10 seasons, revealed in 2024 that he was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition affecting the autonomic nervous system that can cause dizziness and fatigue. He helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship in 2024 and was acquired by Golden State in a February trade.
The Warriors have not provided additional details about Porzingis' medical situation or potential return. ESPN reported on November 5 that the team has stopped delivering Porzingis' semimonthly payments, which total $20 million of his salary for the season. The report noted that Porzingis is not disputing the lack of payments, and the NBA Players' Association has no plans to challenge the decision.
Porzingis expressed gratitude to his family and the Warriors organization, stating he wants to work with the team to "find a solution that makes sense." He has not participated in training camp or preseason games this year and has not played since signing his extension in June.
The 7-foot-2 center was drafted fourth overall in 2015 by the New York Knicks and has also played for the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics. Last season, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
The Warriors, who started the season with a 6-3 record and a six-game win streak, have not commented further on Porzingis' status beyond his initial announcement.