Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced on Friday that he is stepping away from basketball to focus on his health. In a statement posted on X, the 29-year-old Latvian forward-center wrote that he has decided to "step away from the game" as he prioritizes his well-being.
The news was reported by Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle. Porzingis, who joined the Warriors in the offseason, did not specify a timeline for a potential return or elaborate on the nature of his health concerns. The 7-foot-2 big man has dealt with various injuries throughout his NBA career, including knee and ankle issues that have limited his availability in recent seasons.
Porzingis was acquired by Golden State as part of their frontcourt depth heading into the 2026-27 campaign. His departure leaves a significant gap in the Warriors' rotation, as he was expected to provide rim protection, floor spacing, and veteran presence alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
