Steve Kerr says Kristaps Porzingis’ training‑camp illness caught Warriors off‑guard

Kerr explained the lack of communication about Porzingis’ health and said the team must move forward without him.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 31 Oct 2026 02:20:07 GMT

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told 95.7 The Game that the team was "caught off‑guard" by the sudden absence of recent trade acquisition Kristaps Porzingis during training camp.

What happened

Porzingis has been absent from the Warriors facility since the start of training camp, with the team indicating he will remain out until his health improves. Kerr said the news of the indefinite absence reached him only as camp began.

What the reports add

Both the New York Post and Bleacher Report quoted Kerr describing the situation as a surprise. The New York Post noted that Kerr told Dylan Grausz of 95.7 The Game the news “caught them ‘off‑guard’.” Bleacher Report added that Kerr said the team had been in communication with Porzingis over the summer and that everything seemed fine until camp started.

What was said

"We were in communication with him over the summer, and it seemed like everything was in a good place right up until training camp," Kerr said, as reported by the New York Post.

He continued, "Obviously things went south. Since the start of camp, when he was not here and we had to move forward, I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought to be honest, because we’re busy. We have to take every single day and get our team ready for the next game." Bleacher Report quoted the same passage.

Kerr also said he checks in with Porzingis occasionally, but emphasized that handling the situation is the responsibility of general manager Mike Dunleavy and the front office.

How it came about

The Warriors acquired Porzingis in a trade last season, hoping to bolster their frontcourt. Earlier this month, Felo News reported Kerr’s plans to watch the early‑morning WNBA Finals Game 6 (see article), showing his focus on multiple basketball commitments. The current training‑camp issue adds a new challenge as the team adjusts its rotation without its new star.

Key facts

Kristaps Porzingis has been absent from Warriors training camp due to a mystery illness. (nypost.com)
Steve Kerr said the news of Porzingis’ absence caught the team off‑guard. (nypost.com)
Kerr told 95.7 The Game that the team had been in communication with Porzingis over the summer and that everything seemed fine until camp. (bleacherreport.com)