Warriors C Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely with health issue ahead of 2026-27 season

Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely with an undisclosed health issue as the Golden State Warriors open training camp in Hawaii ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 31-year-old center was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline in February and signed a two-year, $40 million deal to return to Golden State this summer. Porzingis missed more games than he appeared in after the trade, sitting out 16 contests while playing in 15. He missed time with illness and injury during the 2025-26 season and has missed a combined 90 regular-season games over the past two seasons with a lingering health issue. His career high in games played, 72, came during his rookie season with the New York Knicks over a decade ago. He has not played more than 60 games in each of the last four seasons. GM Mike Dunleavy downplayed the immediate severity. "I'm not marking him down as being out to start the season or anything like that," Dunleavy said. "He's just not available this week. I'm disappointed that he won't be out there tomorrow, but it's early, so don't want to overreact to anything." In Porzingis's absence, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg will assume a larger role. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft from the University of Michigan was the oldest player drafted in the first round and led the Wolverines to a national title. Lendeborg finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Grizzlies in summer league and helped the Warriors clinch their second summer league title. Coach Steve Kerr said, "He's clearly going to play a ton. He gives us the size and the versatility that we need. Whether he's a starter or coming off the bench, that will be determined the next couple of weeks." Porzingis averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 15 games with Golden State after the deadline deal, which was centered around Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. The Warriors also re-signed Draymond Green, Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II, and recently inked Steph Curry to a two-year contract extension. The Warriors' lone external signings were Brandon Williams and Georges Niang, who missed the entire 2025-26 campaign while recovering from a foot injury.