Porzingis steps away from basketball over health issue
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced on Friday on social media that he is stepping away from basketball to prioritise his health.
The 31-year-old Latvian star did not disclose the nature of the issue in a message posted on his X account, and he did not make clear whether he will resume playing.
Porzingis wrote that he was really looking forward to playing with this group, but as he ramped up, his body did not respond the way he anticipated.
He added that 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. At this point, he has decided to prioritise his health and step away from the game he loves.
Selected fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the 2015 draft, Porzingis was on his sixth team in 11 seasons.
The issue appears to date to last season, when the Latvian missed significant time after being acquired by Golden State in a trade with Atlanta. The Warriors, however, fully anticipated Porzingis would be ready for this season after signing him to a two-year, $40 million contract in late June.
His status has been uncertain since late September, when the Warriors announced he would be out indefinitely with a health issue and would not travel with the team to Hawaii for training camp.
On 14 October, the team said Porzingis would spend time with staff and teammates in some capacity while still out indefinitely, after he met with general manager Mike Dunleavy and vice-president of player health and performance Dr Rick Celebrini a day earlier.
A week later, the Warriors reversed course, saying Porzingis would not be with the team for 'the immediate future', with coach Steve Kerr providing no further insight ahead of the team's season opener at the Los Angeles Lakers.
In his message, Porzingis said he intends to work with the Warriors to 'find a solution that makes sense'.
He closed his message by writing that he is thankful to his family and close ones for always being there, with much appreciation to all for the support. Onwards and upwards.
