Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis says he is stepping away from basketball because health issues will not allow him to play at a top level for the NBA's Golden State Warriors

San Francisco (United States) (AFP) - Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis said Friday he is stepping away from basketball due to health issues.

The 7-foot-2 (2.18m) Latvian, who began his NBA career with New York in 2015, has not played this season for the Warriors telling the team he would not report just before pre-season workouts began.

“This season I was really looking forward to running it with this group, but as I ramped up, my body didn’t respond the way I anticipated,” Porzingis said in a statement posted on social media.

“I’m doing good, but I know what it takes, and I’m not where I want to be to perform at the level that I expect from myself.

“At this point, I’ve made the decision to prioritize my health and step away from the game I love.”

Porzingis, 31, helped the Boston Celtics win the 2024 NBA title. He was traded to Atlanta in 2025, the same year he was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a neurological disease.

Porzingis did not mention POTS in talking about why he is stepping away, nor did he say he was retiring from the sport.

The Hawks traded Porzingis to the Warriors this past February and after playing 15 games last season for Golden State he signed a two-year deal worth $40 million in June, although multiple reports say the team is not paying him while he is away.

“In this situation, I want to show the utmost respect for the Golden State Warriors and work with them to find a solution that makes sense,” Porzingis said.

Porzingis has been in contact with Warriors medical personnel as the team has started the NBA season 6-3 and is on a six-game win streak.

Porzingis has averaged 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocked shots over 10 seasons with New York, Dallas, Washington, Boston, Atlanta and Golden State.