Watching Porzingis play, I'm really afraid he might collapse on the court.

Porzingis is finally back on the court. The Warriors traded for him a month ago, and including today, he has only appeared in two games. His first game with the Warriors was on February 20 versus the Celtics. Since then, he has been sidelined due to illness, and notably, his health issue has been shrouded in uncertainty.

The Celtics diagnosed him with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes an abnormal spike in heart rate when standing or exercising, leading to rapid exhaustion accompanied by severe dizziness and fatigue. The Celtics suggested that Porzingis's condition likely originated from a respiratory virus infection in February 2025, after which he entered a cycle of recurring illnesses.

However, after Porzingis was traded to the Warriors, Coach Kerr called the Hawks' general manager, who stated that Porzingis does not have POTS. After Kerr disclosed this information, it immediately caused a stir, leading Kerr to publicly apologize the next day, admitting he should not have casually discussed the player's diagnosis.

The most visible impact of Porzingis's condition is a significant decline in his physical stamina. Today, the Warriors allowed him to play only when his health was fully confirmed. Yet, even a healthy Porzingis appeared exhausted on the court.

In the second quarter, after seven minutes of play, Porzingis was breathing heavily during free throws, as if he had run five kilometers. At that moment, I genuinely feared he might faint. His free throws also fell short twice, seeming as if he couldn't even lift his arms.

Today, the Warriors performed relatively well against the Thunder on the road, keeping the score close until the final minute. With Porzingis's return, Kerr is also trying to integrate him into the team's system as much as possible.

Today, when Porzingis was on the court, the Warriors often positioned him in the low post. The Thunder, without Chet and Hartenstein, typically assigned smaller guards to defend Porzingis mismatched, ready to double-team. When facing smaller defenders, Porzingis struggled to demonstrate dominant post-up advantages, usually taking one or two bumps before turning for a shot.

However, Porzingis's height is still an asset. When the Thunder double-teamed him, he often managed to find open teammates quickly. Today, he recorded 5 assists, fully showcasing his tactical value.

Today, Porzingis played 23 minutes, shooting only 3-for-10, 0-for-3 from three-point range, missing all shots outside the paint, and even making just 3 of 6 free throws. He finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block, with a plus-minus of +6. Poor shooting can be understood, but more disappointingly, Porzingis's strength seems significantly diminished.

Near the end of the third quarter, Porzingis and Dort were battling for position under the basket, and Dort easily pulled him down. Whether there was any flopping is unclear, but the referee did not call a foul on Dort. Throughout the game, Porzingis appeared soft, unable to penetrate even against guard defense, though his low-post fadeaway remains a signature move.

Long-term struggles with this mysterious condition have undoubtedly reduced Porzingis's physical condition. Today, he needed to rest after just a few minutes of play, and during every dead-ball moment, you could see him leaning on his knees. Porzingis's size provides obvious advantages for the Warriors, but the key question is: how long can he sustain on the court?

Porzingis said after the game: "I believe I will regain my health. I truly feel that way." He actually expressed similar sentiments during his time with the Celtics, then recovered for about ten games with the Hawks before being let go again.

After the game, Kerr stated: "He played 23 minutes, which was really an encouraging performance. Clearly, we are still exploring suitable combinations and tactics for him. This requires some time, but seeing him on the court is truly inspiring."

The Warriors have 19 regular-season games remaining. Curry's return date is still uncertain. In this context, Kerr's mention of finding the right combinations and tactics for Porzingis should be taken lightly. This season is Porzingis's contract year, and whether he remains with the Warriors next season is still uncertain.

For the Warriors, Porzingis's expiring contract holds more significance than his on-court contributions. In the offseason, with four first-round picks and the salary space freed by Porzingis's potential departure, the Warriors could potentially make some moves.

Regarding Porzingis, it's difficult to hold high expectations for his career trajectory.