Warriors Struggle to Discuss Kristaps Porzingis' POTS Diagnosis

The complex nature of the condition has made it difficult for the team to provide clarity on the player's status.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has faced criticism for his comments about Kristaps Porzingis' diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a chronic nervous system disorder. Kerr initially called the diagnosis "misinformation" before apologizing, and later described Porzingis' condition as "mysterious", a term that medical experts say delegitimizes the disorder. Experts explain that POTS is a complex syndrome with a spectrum of symptoms and causes, making it difficult for even medical professionals to fully understand, let alone coaches and the public.

Why it matters

Porzingis' POTS diagnosis has raised questions about the Warriors' handling of his health issues and the challenges faced by professional athletes dealing with chronic conditions. The case highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of POTS, which is often misunderstood or overlooked by the general public and even some healthcare providers.

The details

Porzingis revealed his POTS diagnosis in October 2025 after missing games due to a non-COVID-19 viral illness the previous season. POTS is a form of dysautonomia that causes dizziness, fatigue, exercise intolerance, headaches, and mental fog, often triggered by activities as simple as standing up. Experts say POTS can be exacerbated by viral infections, creating a vicious cycle of sickness for athletes. While Porzingis has begun workouts, the lack of clear guidance on return-to-play protocols for elite athletes with POTS has complicated his recovery.

  • Porzingis revealed his POTS diagnosis in October 2025.
  • Porzingis missed games during the previous season due to a non-COVID-19 viral illness.

The players

Steve Kerr

Head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

Kristaps Porzingis

Forward for the Golden State Warriors who was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Dr. Svetlana Blitshteyn

Director of Dysautonomia Clinic and clinical associate professor of neurology at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine.

Dr. Italo Biaggioni

Director of the Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center.

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What they’re saying

“It's a little mysterious. We're obviously working with him, and he can get some clarity, and he can kind of break through, and he can get to a point where he's consistently healthy, but that's something that the medical staff is working hard on with him. I'm not going to posit any medical theories anymore.”

— Steve Kerr, Head coach, Golden State Warriors (The Athletic)

“I think the more we say the word, the more it delegitimizes this disorder. It's not mysterious. It's complex. It's underdiagnosed. We know a lot about pathophysiology, symptoms, and we have treatments for POTS. It's only a mystery to people who've never heard of it, and doctors who don't know anything about POTS. For the rest of us in this field, it's absolutely not a mystery.”

— Dr. Svetlana Blitshteyn, Director of Dysautonomia Clinic, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine (SFGATE)

“For a disease, you know the cause, and they're all homogeneous and we have a precise mechanism of disease. A syndrome is mostly a description of similar symptoms that can be due to several different causes, and that's where we are. It's a syndrome that we understand much better than ever, but still, we don't have a clear cause, there might be more than one.”

— Dr. Italo Biaggioni, Director, Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center (SFGATE)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.