Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced Friday, November 6, 2026, that he is stepping away from professional basketball to focus on his health. The 31-year-old Latvian has not played this NBA season and said his body has not responded as expected while preparing to return.
Porzingis shared his decision through a statement on social media, explaining that he was disappointed about not being able to rejoin his teammates. He did not identify the specific medical problem behind his current absence or announce his retirement, leaving open the possibility of playing again.
The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his availability and future with Golden State. The Warriors had hoped the 7-foot-3 center would provide scoring, rebounding and outside shooting, but his continued absence has forced the organization to reconsider its plans.
Porzingis Explains His Decision to Step Away
Porzingis said he had been eager to return to the Warriors after signing a new contract during the summer. However, his attempts to increase his training activity showed that he was not physically ready to compete at the level he expects.
In his statement, Porzingis acknowledged that his recovery had not progressed as he hoped. He said he was generally doing well but recognized that his body was not prepared for the demands of professional basketball.
"At this point, I've made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love," Porzingis wrote.
The veteran center also expressed respect for the Warriors organization and said he wanted to work with the team toward a reasonable resolution. He thanked his family, close friends and supporters for helping him through a difficult period.
His announcement did not include a timetable for returning to the court. It also stopped short of confirming whether his break would eventually become a permanent retirement from the NBA.
According to the Associated Press, Porzingis has been away from the Warriors since late September, when the organization announced that a health issue would prevent him from attending training camp in Hawaii. He subsequently missed preseason activities and the beginning of the regular season.
Ongoing Health Problems Have Limited His Career
Porzingis has experienced several significant injuries and illnesses during his NBA career. His physical setbacks have repeatedly interrupted periods of strong performance and made it difficult to maintain consistent playing time.
One of his most serious injuries occurred in February 2018 when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for the New York Knicks. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of that season and all of the 2018-19 campaign.
More recently, Porzingis experienced an illness during the 2024-25 season while playing for the Boston Celtics. He later discussed being diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, commonly called POTS.
POTS affects the autonomic nervous system and can cause a rapid increase in heart rate when someone stands up. Symptoms may include dizziness, unusual fatigue, weakness and difficulty tolerating physical activity.
However, Porzingis has not confirmed that POTS is responsible for his current absence. His latest statement did not identify a diagnosis, and the Warriors have not publicly provided detailed medical information explaining why he remains unavailable.
The uncertainty previously led to public discussion about his condition. In February, Warriors coach Steve Kerr questioned reports about the POTS diagnosis before acknowledging that he should not have commented on medical matters outside his expertise.
Porzingis addressed further speculation in October, explaining that he was working with doctors and medical specialists to understand his symptoms. He also rejected unsupported online rumors about his health and asked people to avoid drawing their own medical conclusions.
The prolonged uncertainty has been frustrating for the player, particularly because he has continued trying to regain his strength and conditioning. His latest announcement suggests that he believes additional time away from competition is necessary.
Warriors Face Questions Over $40 Million Contract
Porzingis joined Golden State in February 2026 through a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. The Warriors acquired him in a deal that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta, hoping his combination of size and shooting would improve their frontcourt.
He appeared in 15 regular-season games for Golden State during the 2025-26 campaign. Despite his limited availability, the team signed him to a two-year contract extension worth $40 million in June.
The agreement includes a $20 million salary for the 2026-27 season and a second year with a player option. Reports indicate that only $3 million of his 2027-28 salary would be guaranteed if he were released before a specified deadline.
The contract has become a significant issue because Porzingis has not participated in team activities this season. ESPN reported that Golden State had stopped issuing salary payments while determining how to handle his prolonged absence.
According to Reuters, the payment dispute arose because the Warriors considered his absence unexcused under the applicable rules while he was not providing services to the team. That report does not establish that Porzingis has permanently forfeited his salary or that the contractual situation has been resolved.
Golden State has also reportedly explored possible trades involving the center. Moving his contract could provide flexibility as the Warriors consider other options to strengthen their roster.
However, a trade would require another team to accept the financial commitment and uncertainty surrounding his availability. Golden State might need to include additional assets to make such an agreement attractive.
Porzingis has not publicly objected to the possibility of working toward a roster or contract solution. His statement emphasized cooperation with the Warriors rather than disagreement with the organization.
For now, no completed trade, contract termination or retirement agreement has been announced.
Warriors Must Adjust Without Their Veteran Center
Porzingis was expected to fill an important role in Golden State's offensive system. At 7 feet 3 inches tall, he offers an unusual combination of interior size and the ability to shoot from three-point range.
His shooting can create space for teammates by forcing opposing centers to defend farther from the basket. The Warriors had hoped those skills would complement the team's established players and provide another scoring option.
Without him, coach Steve Kerr has needed to distribute minutes among other frontcourt players. The organization must also manage injuries and availability concerns elsewhere on the roster.
Golden State entered the weekend with a 6-3 record, remaining competitive despite Porzingis being unavailable. The team has continued its early-season schedule without a clear indication of when the Latvian center might return.
His absence creates additional pressure on the Warriors as they consider how to maintain their current momentum. The team may need to rely on its existing players or pursue roster changes if Porzingis remains unavailable for an extended period.
Former NBA Champion Faces Uncertain Future
Porzingis entered the NBA as the fourth overall selection in the 2015 draft by the New York Knicks. His combination of height, shooting ability and defensive reach quickly made him one of the league's most distinctive young players.
He earned an NBA All-Star selection in 2018 before his knee injury interrupted his development. His career later included stops with Dallas, Washington, Boston and Atlanta before he joined Golden State.
One of his greatest achievements came with the Celtics, who won the NBA championship in 2024. Porzingis contributed to Boston's title-winning season despite dealing with injuries during the playoffs.
His experience as both a leading scorer and a championship contributor made him an attractive addition for the Warriors. However, his recent medical struggles have prevented the team from receiving the consistent contribution it expected.
The question now is whether further treatment and recovery will allow him to resume his career. Porzingis has expressed a desire to regain his health but has not committed to a specific return date.
For Golden State, the immediate priority is determining how his absence affects the roster and his contract. For Porzingis, the next step is continuing his medical care while deciding whether his body can eventually handle the demands of NBA basketball again.