Porzingis Steps Away From Basketball Over Health Issues
Golden State Warriors player Kristaps Porzingis has announced that he is stepping away from basketball for now. He said on Friday that, because of ongoing health issues, he will not be on the court for the foreseeable future.
In his statement, Porzingis said he had really been looking forward to playing this season with this group, but as he ramped up, his body did not respond the way he had anticipated.
He said he is doing well, but he knows what it takes and he is not where he wants to be to perform at the level he expects from himself. He said he had therefore decided to prioritise his health and step away from the game he loves.
Porzingis said he wanted to show the utmost respect for the Golden State Warriors and work with them to find a solution that makes sense. He also thanked his family and close ones for their support.
Porzingis has not played for the Warriors this season. He stepped away from the team the day before the team's training camp began in the offseason.
His health problems are reportedly tied to recurring symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that can cause dizziness and fatigue.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported, citing league sources, that the franchise has stopped the semimonthly payments due on Porzingis's $20 million salary. According to the report, Porzingis is not disputing the lack of payments, and the NBA Players' Association has no plans to dispute it either.
In a post on X on October 14, Porzingis addressed speculation about his health, saying he was working with doctors and experts to be fully back to good health as soon as possible, that he was getting better and better, and that he had to stay patient. He also spoke at the time about online rumours from 'internet doctors' alleging that he had contracted HIV or AIDS.
Battling health issues, Porzingis appeared in just 74 games in total over the last two seasons. Despite that, the Warriors signed him to a two-year, $40 million extension during the offseason. He has earned more than $253 million in the NBA since making his debut with the New York Knicks in 2015.
