Judgment day arrives for the Golden State Warriors tomorrow. They face the Clippers in the Play-In tournament to keep their season alive. In a season plagued by injuries, health remains the biggest question mark hanging over the Warriors. Stephen Curry’s return gave them a boost. However, center Kristaps Porzingis’ availability will be key.

The Latvian has had trouble getting on the court this season. At the peak of his powers, Porzingis could be the difference between a championship and an early exit. The Warriors star does feel ‘relatively healthy’, having played four of the last six regular-season games. But when it comes to his elite shot-blocking ability, Porzingis fears he’s not reached his best.

“Just need to lost a couple of pounds honestly. And I know it sounds weird because all of my career, everybody ‘Oh, you got to put on weight’. I’ve tried that. It doesn’t help my mobility. You know, when I’m lighter like I was in Boston, it’s when I move the best, and I’m the most effective,” Porzingis said during the Warriors’ practice session.

He’s listed at the same weight as his championship run with the Celtics, at 240 pounds. His recent inactivity has likely added some weight, which has directly impacted his shot-blocking- a significant decline, evidenced by him recording multiple blocks in just three of his 15 games this season. This represents a sharp drop from his 1.8 blocks per game average with the Celtics, a figure that consistently placed him among the league’s elite rim protectors. The only way to get back to his optimal weight is through an uninterrupted stretch of games.

The concerning aspect is Porzingis being one of the Warriors’ impact makers who aren’t fully fit. Their talisman, Stephen Curry, finished the regular season on a minutes restriction. The Baby Face Assassin delivered some brilliant performances upon his return from a two-month absence.

But in stark contrast to Porzingis’s 15 appearances, the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard has suited up for 68 games this season, demonstrating a level of durability and rhythm the Warriors’ big man has been unable to find.

The 10th-seed Warriors must win on the road against the 9th-seed Clippers to keep their season alive and earn a second game for the 8th seed against the winner of the 7-vs-8 matchup; a loss ends their campaign entirely.

With the season on the line, Kristaps Porzingis is willing to put it all out there. He trusts his anticipation to make up for his mobility concerns. But the Warriors will start on the back foot with both of their marquee names not operating at full efficiency.

Steve Kerr sees Kristaps Porzingis as a long-term fit

The Golden State Warriors’ current focus is on keeping their season alive. The Los Angeles Clippers got the better of them in the last game of the regular season.

However, the team was forced to play through adversity, with major injuries sidelining key contributors throughout the season- Curry, Porzingis, Jimmy Butler, and Moses Moody – making it nearly impossible to build any consistent chemistry. The Warriors haven’t got a fair shot.

In an ideal world, they would have the firepower to compete for a top-six finish. While that hasn’t been the case, head coach Steve Kerr does see potential to make it happen going forward. And he believes Kristaps Porzingis could be a key element in these final years with Stephen Curry.

“He’s an unrestricted free agent after this season, but he’s our guy, and we get to show him what we have to offer him. We get to know each other. I think ideally, for everybody, he would re-sign and come back healthy and be an important player for us for many years,” said the Warriors head coach.

On paper, Porzingis is a spacing threat who, at 30, remains firmly in his prime and brings a more dynamic dimension than Al Horford ever did. The only thing that has consistently stood in his way is his health. That will play into the Warriors’ calculations in the summer.

But a healthy trio of Butler, Curry, and Porzingis packs a punch. They aren’t just seasoned competitors, but also players who feed into championship potential.

That’s where a possible postseason run is necessary for Kristaps Porzingis. What’s clear is that he loves being part of the Warriors franchise. He’s encouraged by their medical staff and how invested they are in their players. That has played a significant role in his recovery from an illness, helping him get back on the court and play regular games.

The finances will be the tricky part in this equation. But if Porzingis manages to dazzle in these upcoming games, the Warriors could be open to taking that risk.