Kristaps Porziņģis Set to Return for Warriors vs. Thunder as Key Stars Sit Out
Coach Steve Kerr announced that kristaps porziņģis is expected to play about 15 to 20 minutes for Golden State on Saturday evening at Paycom Center against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a boost for a team missing several top players.
Coach sets a limited role for a team in flux
Kerr said Porziņģis should be in the 15–20 minute range for the game, giving the Warriors a needed big-man option while the roster is stretched. Porziņģis missed Golden State’s last six games with an illness and was acquired at the trade deadline from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
Kristaps Porziņģis' Warriors debut and recent absence
Porziņģis posted 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting with one rebound and one assist in his 17-minute Warriors debut on Feb. 19 against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center. After that game he said, “Yeah, as the game went on, it got better and better. And this is like first step to keep building. I had some opportunities, couple turnovers. I think it’s just a matter of time to get in a better rhythm from this point on. ”
kristaps porziņģis has played in just 117 of a possible 246 regular-season games over the last three seasons because of illness and injury, but his career scoring and spacing — career averages of 19. 5 points and a 36. 6-percent 3-point clip with 7. 7 rebounds and 1. 8 assists — make his availability important when starters are out.
Veteran teammate Draymond Green spoke to the locker room approach last week: “When a guy is hurt or sick or whatever, there’s no one around here like pressuring you, like, ‘Yo, what’s going on?’ We don’t move like that. We know if he’s healthy, he’s going to get back out there. ”
Thunder matchup and injury lists for both teams
The Warriors enter the game with multiple players sidelined; the team will be without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Will Richard for the matchup. Oklahoma City, playing at home, has its own roster issues but has reintegrated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back on the floor and is looking to win its eighth game in nine tries.
The Thunder’s and Warriors’ injury reports list several absences: Isaiah Hartenstein — Out (left calf contusion); Ajay Mitchell — Out (abdominal strain, right ankle sprain); Thomas Sorber — Out (right ACL surgical recovery); Jalen Williams — Out (right hamstring strain); Seth Curry — Questionable (left sciatic nerve irritation); Stephen Curry — Out (right patellofemoral pain syndrome).
With Porziņģis expected to return in a limited role and key scorers unavailable, Golden State will lean on his 3-point shooting and floor spacing in the lineup shifts Kerr plans for the game at Paycom Center.
The Warriors face the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at Paycom Center; Coach Steve Kerr’s pregame plan calls for Porziņģis to play 15 to 20 minutes while the team manages his return from illness.
