{"id":670565,"date":"2026-03-21T11:18:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T11:18:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/670565\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T11:18:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T11:18:42","slug":"kristaps-porzingis-explains-early-exit-from-warriors-pistons-nbc-sports-bay-area-california-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/670565\/","title":{"rendered":"Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is explains early exit from Warriors-Pistons \u2013 NBC Sports Bay Area & California"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/a> headed to the locker room in the second quarter of the Warriors’ loss to the Detroit Pistons<\/a> on Friday, and he didn’t return for the rest of the game.<\/p>\n

After the game, Porzi\u0146\u0123is explained the back issue that sidelined him for the second half.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kind of started feeling it from the first quarter, started spasming up a bit,” he explained (h\/t Anthony Slater<\/a>). “I tried to move and — while I was warm, I was okay, but in that one play I kind of felt a little spasm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Porzi\u0146\u0123is took a couple pushes from Pistons center Paul Reed in the second quarter before reaching down towards his lower back; he asked out of the game soon after at the 4:54 mark.<\/p>\n

Kristaps Porzingis explains the back issue that forced him out tonight. Said it tightened up in the first quarter. Still stiff postgame. Called it spasms. Doesn\u2019t think it\u2019s serious but \u201cprobably\u201d won\u2019t play in Atlanta tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com\/xt9l7cFB4B<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

With the Warriors set to take on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday for the second half of a road back-to-back,
Porzi\u0146\u0123is’ availability obviously is up in the air. But the big man appeared optimistic he wouldn’t be out too long.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeeling alright, a little tight now. Once I cooled down it tightened up even more, but I\u2019ll get it going soon,\u201d he explained, before a question about if he feels like he will sit Saturday. \u201cProbably. Yeah, we\u2019ll see. Maybe it loosens up tomorrow, who knows? Right now it\u2019s pretty stiff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Porzi\u0146\u0123is, who has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his NBA career, also was asked postgame if he’s had back issues in the past.<\/p>\n

\u201cEarlier in my career a little bit,” Porzi\u0146\u0123is replied. “Honestly, I’m pretty good at managing and keeping the back strong. I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll go away pretty quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old already missed a big chunk of this season — Saturday was just his 24th game of 2025-26 — as he dealt with a nagging illness<\/a> and Achilles injury.<\/p>\n

But if there’s any silver lining, though, it doesn’t appear as though this incident is related.<\/p>\n

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