Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Clarifies “Misinformation” About Kristaps Porzingis’ Health Status

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has dispelled rumors surrounding Kristaps Porzingis’ health, revealing that the recently acquired center has not been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) as widely reported.

Speaking on Bay Area radio show “Willard and Dubs” ahead of the Warriors’ upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 28, Kerr addressed the speculation that has followed Porzingis since his arrival from the Atlanta Hawks.

“When I heard about the trade, I read about his POTS diagnosis and then called Onsi Saleh, who was with us, he’s now Atlanta’s GM and he’s a good friend of mine,” Kerr explained. “I called him and said, ‘Is this POTS story real?’ And he said it’s actually not POTS. So that was some misinformation that was out there.”

The 7-foot-3 Latvian center has missed 18 games during the 2025-2026 season—17 with the Hawks and one since joining Golden State. His absences fueled speculation about chronic health issues, particularly POTS, a condition characterized by increased heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue when transitioning from lying down to standing.

Kerr emphasized that Porzingis’ recent absence from the Warriors lineup was unrelated to any chronic condition. “Whatever was bothering him in Atlanta that was keeping him out had nothing to do with the illness last week,” the coach clarified. “He was just sick. There’s a lot going around as you guys know, and he was sick enough where he was losing a lot of fluid and was contagious, so we just kept him home.”

The Warriors acquired Porzingis to bolster their frontcourt presence, adding versatility and scoring punch to their roster. His health status remains a critical factor for a Golden State team looking to make a playoff push in the competitive Western Conference.

Porzingis is currently listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the Lakers, leaving fans uncertain about when they’ll see the big man back on the court. His last appearance came against the Boston Celtics, where he logged 17 minutes and contributed 12 points, one assist, and one rebound.

Through the 2025-2026 campaign, Porzingis has averaged 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game—solid numbers that underscore his value when healthy. However, availability has been a persistent concern throughout his NBA career.

The clarification from Kerr comes at a crucial time for the Warriors, who are navigating a challenging schedule and need all available talent on the floor. Porzingis’ integration into Steve Kerr’s system remains a work in progress, with his limited playing time since the trade hampering the development of on-court chemistry with his new teammates.

NBA teams are increasingly transparent about player health issues, but this situation highlights how misinformation can circulate in the absence of clear communication. The Warriors’ medical staff continues to monitor Porzingis closely, with the organization taking a cautious approach to ensure his long-term availability.

As the Warriors prepare to face LeBron James and the Lakers in a marquee matchup, attention will inevitably focus on the availability status of their new acquisition. Whether Porzingis suits up remains to be seen, but Kerr’s clarification has at least addressed one significant concern about the center’s long-term health outlook.