The Golden State Warriors closed the regular season with a 115-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night. Tenth seed. One game to keep the season alive. Wednesday at Intuit Dome, with everything on the line.
The concern heading into that game is what has happened to Kristaps Porzingis from three-point range. Since March 29, he has made just one three-pointer in 15 attempts. For a player whose ability to space the floor and stretch defenses is central to how the Warriors need to operate around Stephen Curry, the timing could not be worse.
Wednesday is an elimination game. Golden State needs Porzingis. Right now, they are not getting the version of him that changes games.
What Porzingis Said About His Connection With Curry
GettyKristaps Porzingis of the Golden State Warriors walks off the court.
Porzingis did not dress up the reality of where he and Curry stand heading into Wednesday.
“It’s not perfect from the get go, but also we barely got any time together,” Porzingis said. “It’s just hard to develop.”
The candor was striking. Not an excuse, just a fact. Curry missed 27 games earlier this season with runner’s knee, and Porzingis has been limited himself due to illness and left Achilles tendinitis. The two have shared just 15 minutes on the floor together this season. That is not enough time to build the kind of read-and-react chemistry that makes the pairing work at its ceiling.
When asked if it could come together quickly enough for Wednesday, Porzingis did not hesitate.
“Maybe we can make more time,” he said.
The belief is genuine. The timeline is tight.
Kristaps Porzingis and Steph Curry are still finding a chemistry and rhythm but remain confident they’ll can do so on the fly.
“Maybe we can make more time.”
What the Pairing Has Looked Like for the Warriors
GettyStephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors.
The flashes have been there. Porzingis brings a dimension offensively that stretches defenses in ways that create real problems. His ability to pop for threes, seal smaller defenders in the post, and draw double teams at the elbow opens space for Curry that few big men can provide. Steve Kerr acknowledged as much on Monday.
“He’s a weapon no matter what,” Kerr said. “He’s such a skilled guy whether they play big or small. Doesn’t really matter. He’s always a threat to score either from the perimeter or down on the block.”
The consistency has not followed. Porzingis has also acknowledged that his mobility has not been where it needs to be, conceding that limited games and some extra weight have affected how he moves.
“Defensively, obviously, I haven’t been my best mobility-wise this season,” Porzingis said. “I know it sounds weird, but I just need to lose a couple pounds honestly. When I’m lighter like I was in Boston, it’s when I move the best and when I’m the most effective.”
“I’m relatively healthy…just need to lose a couple pounds, honestly.”
Why It Matters for Wednesday
In a play-in setting, nothing is gradual. There is no runway to build chemistry over multiple games or adjust after a slow start. One game, one chance, and every possession counts.
The Clippers will make things difficult for Curry. Their defensive attention toward him will be significant, which means Porzingis needs to be ready to exploit whatever openings that creates. Whether it is popping for threes, sealing on the block, or simply commanding enough defensive attention to free up the rest of the offense, the Warriors need him to deliver.
Porzingis knows it. His confidence has not wavered despite the shooting slump and the conditioning questions.
“I’m going to shoot it,” he said when asked about his approach Wednesday. “I think they’re going to be hungry and we just have to be hungrier and go for it.”
Final Word for the Warriors
The Warriors are not where they wanted to be heading into the play-in. The chemistry between Curry and Porzingis is still developing. The three-point shooting has gone cold at the worst possible time. The conditioning is a work in progress.
None of that is insurmountable. Porzingis is right that more time can still be made. Wednesday is the opportunity to prove it.
One game. Everything on the line. The Warriors have been here before.
Warriors Face Notable Kristaps Porzingis Concern Ahead of Play-In