Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis announced he is stepping away from basketball indefinitely, saying he needs to prioritize his health after an unresolved issue kept him out of training camp and the start of the 2026-27 season.

The 30-year-old Latvian big man has been sidelined since before camp opened, missing the Warriors' first several preseason games with what the team has described only as a "health issue," without disclosing specifics, according to TSN. In his own statement, Porziņģis indicated he isn't where he needs to be to perform at the level he expects of himself, and said stepping back is the right call for now.

A career interrupted again

The move is the latest setback in an injury-plagued career for the two-time All-Star, who has battled Achilles and knee issues dating back to his early seasons with the New York Knicks. He arrived in Golden State in a blockbuster trade and was expected to anchor the Warriors' frontcourt alongside Stephen Curry this season.

His sudden absence doesn't appear to have ended speculation about his future with the team. According to multiple reports, including from NBA insider Shams Charania, the Warriors have continued exploring trade possibilities involving Porziņģis even after his announcement, with the league's trade deadline looming later this season. Separately, reports indicate the team has stopped paying him on the grounds that he isn't currently rendering services, a situation Porziņģis has not been reported to be actively disputing.

The Warriors have not said whether his absence is expected to last weeks, months or the remainder of the season, and have declined to comment further on his health status or trade speculation surrounding him.

For a Golden State team that reshuffled its roster around the idea of pairing size with its aging core, Porziņģis' absence leaves an immediate hole at center — one the Warriors will have to address on the court even as the situation around their big man remains unresolved off it.