San Francisco (United States) (AFP) – Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced this Friday that he will step away from basketball due to health problems.

First modification: 07/11/2026 - 00:19

The 2.18-meter Latvian has not played games this season with the Warriors, whom he informed that he would not join just before the start of preseason training.

"This season I really wanted to compete with this group, but, as I increased the intensity of my training, my body did not respond as I expected," Porzingis explained in a statement published on his social networks.

"I feel good, but I know what this sport demands and I am not in the condition I would like to perform at the level I expect of myself," he added. "At this time, I have decided to prioritize my health and step away from the sport that I love so much."

Porzingis, 31, began his NBA career with the New York Knicks in 2015 and helped the Boston Celtics win the title in 2024.

In 2025 he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, the same year he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a neurological disease.

The player did not mention this condition when explaining his decision to step away from the courts nor did he announce his retirement from basketball.

The Hawks traded him to the Warriors last February and, after playing 15 games with Golden State the previous season, he signed a two-year, $40 million contract in June.

However, several media reported that the team will not pay him while he remains away from the activity.

In ten seasons in the NBA, Porzingis averages 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.

© 2026 AFP

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