Porzingis Returns to the Facility, Not Yet to a Lineup
Golden State gets its center back before it gets an answer on who starts next to him.
Kristaps Porzingis is expected back at the Warriors' practice facility today, the same day Golden State plays a preseason rematch at the Lakers. Multiple outlets confirmed the return, but none added detail to the undisclosed illness that has kept him out since September 28.
Back at the Facility, Not Yet on a Timeline
RealGM, ESPN's Anthony Slater and The Athletic all reported Tuesday that Porzingis is expected back at the team's facility today. The Athletic tied the absence to an undisclosed illness, the same description that has held since Slater first reported the issue on September 28. Dalton Johnson reported that Kerr shared what he called an encouraging update on the return. None of the three reports added a diagnosis or a timeline for games.
The Lineup Question Kerr Is Already Working On
Dalton Johnson also reported that Kerr is "leaning towards" a starting five for the regular-season opener at the Lakers on October 21. Tonight's preseason game at the same opponent, a rematch after Golden State's 124-98 win on October 6, is the kind of setting where that five gets tested before it becomes official. Golden State enters on two days' rest; the Lakers have had four.
The Roster Keeps Shifting Under Him
While Porzingis was away, Golden State also moved at the roster's edges: Tyler Burton signed an Exhibit 10 deal on October 12, the same day Miles Kelly was waived. Golden State's 17 contracts now total $223.3 million, above the $200.4 million luxury-tax line and into the richer penalty tier above it. None of that figure reflects final salary terms on Curry's or Podziemski's new extensions, both still unreported.
What Tonight Doesn't Answer
Porzingis won't settle Kerr's starting-five question tonight; he's only back at the building, not confirmed for game action. The illness itself remains undisclosed, and the five Kerr is "leaning towards" hasn't been named. Golden State gets one more preseason tune-up, against the Trail Blazers on October 16, before the real test: the regular-season opener, at the Lakers again, on October 21.
Is Kristaps Porzingis playing against the Lakers tonight?
No. Reports Tuesday only had him returning to the Warriors' facility, with no confirmation he's ready for game action.
What is Kristaps Porzingis's injury?
It hasn't been specified. Outlets have described it only as an undisclosed illness since it was first reported on September 28.
