Warriors news: Steve Kerr backtracks on Kristaps Porzingis POTS comments: ‘Stupid mistake’

SAN FRANCISCO – The health situation of Kristaps Porzingis it’s getting darker day by day Golden State Warriors.

Ahead of the Warriors’ primetime matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Kerr had to return the comments he made o Porzingis’ POTS diagnosis the day before in a radio interview with 95.7 The Game.

“It was a stupid mistake on my part to talk about something I’m not qualified to talk about,” Kerr said. “So I regret even trying to discuss the diagnosis. It was my fault and I have to leave it to the professionals.”

Kerr told radio hosts Mark Willard and Dan Dibley that Porzingis’ POTS diagnosis was incorrect, describing it as “misinformation” and that the illness that kept him out of games for the Atlanta Hawks was something else entirely.

“When I heard about the trade, I read about the POTS diagnosis, and I called (Hawks GM) Onsi (Saleh) … and said, ‘Is this POTS story real?'” Kerr recounted on the radio.

“And he said, ‘It’s not actually POTS.’ That was some misinformation that was out there. I don’t know if anyone asked him about it. The bottom line is that whatever was bothering him in Atlanta that kept him from going out had nothing to do with (this) week’s illness. He was just sick. … He was sick enough where he was losing a lot of fluids and was contagious, so we just kept him at home, and he’s doing a lot better now.”

It was a strange gaffe for a coach who is usually very media savvy, as Porzingis’ POTS diagnosis is something he himself shared with the Athletics last season. And it has been widely reported that this specific health issue has cost him so many games over the last two seasons.

Where does that leave Kristaps Porzingis and the Warriors?

Kerr’s return comes as Porzingis is sidelined for his fourth straight game due to a nagging illness that is currently plaguing him. Details about Porzingis’ symptoms and the type of illness he is dealing with have been scarce.

What is known Porzingis’ health status is that he practiced on Friday for the first time since he got sick. There was hope that he could be available for this Lakers game, as the team classified him as questionable entering the game. But ultimately, the team ruled him out, opting to take a conservative approach to his health and recovery.

In the same presser, Kerr said he could not provide details on Porzingis’ condition.

“I can’t really say anything,” Kerr said. “Just a medical issue that’s beyond my ability to explain anything. So, yes, he’s sick. He’s not going to play, and we’ll continue to monitor.”

All in all, it creates a muddled situation.

Porzingis’ health concerns were something the Warriors were aware of when they traded for him. Kerr and the Managing Director Mike Dunleavy both expressed their confidence in managing his health. But with this recent return and the team’s unwillingness to share more specific details about Porzingis’ status, it’s unclear when we can expect him to return to action. Especially since it’s their big shopping window.

So far, the reinforcements they’ve been looking for – and sure to get – in exchange for Jonathan Cumminga have been very small. Regardless, the Warriors will continue to monitor Porzingis and his health.