Kristaps Porziņģis has expressed confidence in his readiness to return to the court after a long absence attributed to an Achilles tendon inflammation. The Latvian player has not competed since early January when he was with the Atlanta Hawks, but he has recently been traded to the Golden State Warriors. His anticipated debut at the Warriors is slated for early Friday morning local time in Latvia, where they will face the Boston Celtics, a team with which Porziņģis enjoyed success, including an NBA championship in 2024.

Porziņģis indicated that he has been diligently preparing for his return and feels physically well, despite not being sure about the number of minutes he might play during the game. The head coach, Steve Kerr, has mentioned he may limit Porziņģis's playing time initially. Before the NBA All-Star Game break, Porziņģis put in considerable effort to rehabilitate and condition himself, which included several rest days aimed at honing his readiness for competitive play.

This potential return is significant not only for Porziņģis's career but also for the Warriors, as they aim to enhance their performance in the season. With his history of injuries, everyone is hopeful that this time around, he will stay healthy and contribute meaningfully to the team's successes. His matchup against the Celtics holds added interest due to his previous relationship with the franchise, creating a narrative layer to what could be a crucial game in his new team's season.