Warriors Coach Praises Wizards Star Porziņģis After Close Win

Kerr highlights Porziņģis' strong performance in Warriors' narrow victory over Washington.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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Following the Golden State Warriors' 131-126 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday, head coach Steve Kerr spoke highly of Wizards forward Kristaps Porziņģis, who had an impressive performance despite the loss.

Why it matters

Porziņģis has been a standout player for the Wizards this season, and Kerr's praise highlights the respect the Warriors have for their opponent's talent, even in a close victory.

The details

Porziņģis scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the game, keeping the Wizards competitive against the Warriors' talented roster. Kerr acknowledged Porziņģis' skill and impact, despite the Warriors ultimately securing the win at home.

  • The game took place on Friday, March 28, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

The players

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

Kristaps Porziņģis

The starting power forward for the Washington Wizards.

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What they’re saying

“Kristaps was terrific. He's a handful. He's a great player.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

The takeaway

Kerr's praise for Porziņģis underscores the respect the Warriors have for their opponents, even in a close victory at home. This type of sportsmanship and recognition of talent is a hallmark of Kerr's coaching style.