Kristaps Porzingis has been medically cleared and is expected to be in uniform when the Golden State Warriors face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, marking the Latvian center’s third appearance with the team since arriving in the Jonathan Kuminga trade.
Porzingis logged 17 minutes in his Warriors debut on Feb. 19, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He then missed six consecutive contests before returning Saturday against Oklahoma City, where he posted nine points, five assists and five rebounds in a loss. The 28-year-old has dealt with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) dating back to last season but said he expects to be available more consistently moving forward, while acknowledging fans’ doubts about his durability.
Forward Draymond Green and guard De’Anthony Melton are officially listed as questionable for Tuesday’s matchup.
Coaching perspective
Head coach Steve Kerr reiterated his long-standing belief that the NBA schedule should be trimmed by roughly 10 games, ESPN reported. “I know this will not be a popular opinion in the league office, but I will continue to say it because it’s obvious we need to play fewer games,” Kerr said, adding that a shorter calendar would create a “more competitive and healthier league.” Golden State currently fields the NBA’s oldest roster by average age, a factor Kerr acknowledged while noting the potential financial hurdles of reducing the schedule.
Green on his unique skillset
Green told NBC Sports he considers his basketball intellect his “biggest superpower” and the primary reason his style is difficult to replicate. “I think I’m as smart as anyone in the NBA, and that’s my best skill,” the four-time All-Star said. Green recently drew attention on social media for telling parents that comparing their children’s games to his is unrealistic, a point he reiterated in the interview.
Seth Curry’s return
Guard Seth Curry played for the first time since December in Saturday’s loss to Utah and made an immediate impact, scoring 13 points in 12 minutes while handing out three assists. Jazz guard Elijah Harkless sought advice from Curry midgame, asking, “How you come in and make shots right away?”
Curry revealed that back pain left him largely immobile for about a month earlier in the season. “I was just laying at home,” he said. “Once the pain went away I was able to rehab and try to get all my movement back, but it’s been tough.”
The Warriors enter Tuesday night looking to snap a skid after dropping the last outing to the Thunder.
Source: Hoops Rumors
