Jan 30, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after committing a turnover in opposition to the Detroit Pistons within the first quarter on the Chase Heart. Necessary Credit score: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Photos Former Celtics heart Kristaps Porzingis might make his debut with the Golden State Warriors after they host Boston on Thursday night time.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned he is hoping two-time MVP Stephen Curry may also be on the courtroom. Curry, who leads Golden State with 27.2 factors per recreation, has missed the final 5 video games due to a sore knee.
Porzingis was acquired by the Warriors from Atlanta on the commerce deadline however hasn’t performed since Jan. 7 because of points together with his left Achilles tendon. He mentioned on the time of the commerce that Thursday’s recreation was his goal date for returning to the courtroom.
“I look ahead to actually having a surprisingly good submit All-Star break,” he mentioned.
Porzingis has performed in 17 video games this season (12 begins). He is averaging 17.1 factors, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocked photographs per contest.
Porzingis performed for Boston final season, however was restricted to 42 video games with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. The Celtics traded him to the Hawks in July. He didn’t play in opposition to Boston whereas with Atlanta.
“He is a straightforward match,” Kerr mentioned. “You do not have to vary a complete lot. The most important distinction I suppose that he offers is post-ups. He is a reasonably good post-up participant, particularly in opposition to switches. You throw him the ball on the foul line, the elbows, even the low block, he can rating in these spots. That was one of many issues we did at this time, we labored on our spacing.”
Kerr mentioned he wished to look at Porzingis in a scrimmage Wednesday earlier than deciding whether or not he’ll play Thursday night time.
“Kristaps has been right here the final handful of days and practiced at this time with the crew,” Kerr mentioned. “Seemed good. He is feeling good. We cannot make a willpower till after (Wednesday). Once we observe (Wednesday) afternoon we’ll rise up and down the ground and scrimmage, which we did not do (Tuesday). We did extra ability work and went over some issues.”
The Warriors, who misplaced 4 of their final six video games earlier than the All-Star break, occupy eighth place within the Western Convention standings. Boston will enter Thursday’s recreation because the No. 2 crew within the Jap Convention, 5 1/2 video games behind Detroit.
Hypothesis has ramped up relating to the potential for injured ahead Jayson Tatum suiting up for the Celtics within the second half of the season. Tatum, who’s recovering from a torn Achilles, started training with a few of his teammates this week. He had surgical procedure in May.
“He seemed like Jayson Tatum, I will say that a lot,” Ron Harper Jr. mentioned. “We’re actually excited for the potential of him coming again. We do not know for certain if he will come again. We’re simply actually excited to see him progress throughout his rehab.”
Tatum averaged 26.8 factors, 8.7 rebounds and a career-high 6.0 assists per recreation in 2024-25. The six-time All-Star has averaged 23.6 factors, 7.3 rebounds and three.8 assists throughout his 585-game NBA profession.
Thursday night time’s matchup would be the first of two for these groups this season and will function loads of perimeter scoring. The Warriors lead the NBA in made 3-point discipline objectives (897), whereas Boston is third (831).
–Subject Degree Media
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