Steve Kerr Discusses Kristaps Porzingis' 'Mysterious' Illness Amid Absence From Warriors

Kristaps Porziņģis has played just one game since the Golden State Warriors acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks via trade earlier this season, and head coach Steve Kerr didn't have much clarity to offer when he discussed the situation Monday.

"Not really," Kerr said, per Nick Friedell of The Athletic. "It's a little mysterious. We're obviously working with him, and he can get some clarity, and he can kind of break through, and he can get to a point where he's consistently healthy, but that's something that the medical staff is working hard on with him. I'm not going to posit any medical theories anymore."

Friedell noted Porziņģis will not play in Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, which will mark his fifth consecutive absence because of illness.

He played 17 minutes in the Feb. 19 loss to the Boston Celtics, which marked his first game since he took the court for the Hawks on Jan. 7. He also played just 42 games last season as a member of the Boston Celtics.

Kristaps Porziņģis with the Dunk

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Kerr's comments come after he walked previous ones back regarding Porziņģis' health.

As Friedell explained, Porziņģis previously revealed he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Kerr said Friday that Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh told him Porziņģis didn't have POTS but then said Saturday it was a "stupid mistake" to speak about it publicly.

The head coach didn't have any predictions about the situation Monday as the Warriors continue to wait for the big man to take the court.

Golden State enters Monday's game with a 31-29 record, which is good enough for eighth place in the Western Conference standings. It is five games behind the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers and will surely find itself in the play-in tournament to start the postseason.

It doesn't help that star guard Stephen Curry is also sidelined with a knee injury, and ESPN's Anthony Slater reported Sunday he is expected to miss at least five more games. The future Hall of Famer hasn't played since Jan. 30.

In theory, the Warriors will be quite dangerous in the playoffs if Curry and Porziņģis return and play up to their potential.

But there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the team at this point.