Steve Kerr apologizes for comments about Porzingis’ illness

Kristaps Porzingis performed a key function within the Celtics’ run to an 18th championship in 2024.

However, the 7-foot-2 heart’s profession has been derailed by a lingering sickness that loomed over his last season in Boston. 

After initially lacking eight video games as a result of an sickness in March 2025, Porzingis’ play dropped off through the postseason. 

Over 11 whole playoff video games final spring, Porzingis averaged 20.9 minutes, 7.7 factors, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per recreation whereas taking pictures simply 31.6 % from the sector — to go together with a 15.4 price from 3-point vary.

In October, Porzingis — who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks through the offseason — revealed in a story posted by The Athletic that he was coping with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. 

It’s a situation that may rapidly elevated an individual’s coronary heart price whereas standing, which might subsequently result in exhaustion or dizziness. 

“You know the way individuals say, ‘Oh, I’m so fatigued.’ I’ve by no means used these phrases. I don’t even like to talk in these phrases, however I actually was like that,” Porziņģis instructed The Athletic. “At the moment, I might simply lay on the sofa and be a home cat.”

That sickness and fatigue has plagued Porzingis through the 2025-26 marketing campaign, with the 30-year-old massive man restricted to simply 18 video games this season whereas taking part in for each the Hawks and now the Golden State Warriors. 

However, throughout an radio interview on Friday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made a couple of eye-opening feedback about Porzingis’ situation. 

“After I heard in regards to the commerce, I learn in regards to the POTS analysis and referred to as the Hawks GM Onsi Saleh. He’s an excellent pal of mine and I mentioned is that this POTS story actual?” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game. “He mentioned it’s really not POTS. That was some misinformation that was on the market. I don’t know if anybody has requested him about it. 

“The underside line is no matter was bothering him in Atlanta that was protecting him out had nothing to do with the sickness final week. He was simply sick, there’s loads going round as you guys know. He was sick sufficient the place he was dropping loads of fluids and contagious so we stored him residence however he’s doing loads higher now.”

Just some days later, Kerr expressed remorse about his feedback concerning Porzingis’ situation. 

“I can’t actually say something extra on it,” Kerr told reporters before Saturday’s game against the Lakers. “It’s a medical difficulty manner past my capabilities explaining something. He’s sick. He gained’t play. We are going to hold monitoring him.”

“It was a silly mistake by me to speak about one thing I’m not certified to speak about,” he added. “Even attempting to debate the analysis, that was a mistake. I would like to go away that to professionals.”

Porzingis, who was acquired by the Warriors in a commerce involving each Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield final month, has solely performed one recreation with Golden State. He scored 12 factors and posted one rebound over 17 minutes in a loss to the Celtics on Feb. 19.

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Crimson Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.