Kristaps Porzingis shared details about his health struggles in his first public statements since being ruled out at the beginning of Warriors training camp.
On Wednesday afternoon, Porzingis posted a statement on his personal X account.
“Hello people, I’m working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap,” Porzingis posted. “Honestly, I’m getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon. It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it (flex emoji) Health is wealth. Thank you for all the support (prayer emoji).”
Porzingis has battled postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in the past, an autonomic nervous system disorder with symptoms that include chronic fatigue, migraines, heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath and which has no known cure.
It is not known if his current condition is related to that illness.
In a second post, he directly addressed a rumor on the internet about what he had been dealing with, writing, “I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I’m in the best hands. So everyone can relax now (smile emoji, prayer emoji) and I don’t have HIV or AIDS.”
In a statement released by the Warriors on Wednesday afternoon, Porzingis was ruled out for the foreseeable future after meeting with Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy and VP of player health and performance Rick Celebrini on Tuesday.
The meeting occurred while the Warriors were in Las Vegas for a preseason game against the Lakers.
“The specific contents of that meeting will remain private,” the Warriors wrote in a statement. “Porzingis will remain out indefinitely due to the same health-related matter but will be around the team. An update on his status, including the potential resumption of practice, playing status or timeline, will be provided when available and appropriate.”
Porzingis has not been around the Warriors during training camp or preseason, with Dunleavy only stating he was away from the team due to an undisclosed health issue on Sept. 28. Porzingis had called the general manager the night before media day to inform him he would not be present.
With Kristaps Porzingis ruled out indefinitely, the center rotation will rely on 36-year-old Draymond Green to start and 40-year-old Al Horford to be the primary backup. Behind them are a duo of traditional centers in Charles Bassey and Graham Ike. Two-way forward Malevy Leons played center in spurts last season, while rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg has lined up at the five at times during the preseason.
Golden State is expected to practice on Thursday, and the team will have their final preseason game on Friday at Chase Center against the Blazers.
The Warriors begin the regular season on Oct. 21 in Los Angeles.