Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, shared his satisfaction regarding Kristaps Porziņģis' debut performance on Thursday, where the Latvian player scored 12 points in 17 minutes of play. Despite the Warriors losing the game to the opposition with a score of 121-110, Kerr noted the difficulties associated with joining a new team and immediately taking to the court after just one practice. Kerr praised Porziņģis' talent, understanding of the game, and ability to contribute on the court, highlighting the positive impact he could have on the team.

Porziņģis had not played in an NBA game since early January while he was still with the Atlanta Hawks due to an Achilles tendon issue. His recent trade to the Warriors happened only a couple of weeks ago, which added another layer of challenge as he adjusted to his new team dynamics. Kerr remarked on how Porziņģis displayed increasing confidence with each minute played, suggesting that he was successfully integrating into the team’s gameplay.

The Warriors will likely look to build on this initial performance as they work to optimize their lineup with Porziņģis on board. Kerr’s positive assessment indicates expectations for better performances as Porziņģis gets additional playing time, which could be vital for the Warriors' success in the ongoing NBA season.