Warriors' Porzingis Trade Proving Costly as Injuries Mount

Golden State struggles without key players in blowout loss to Pistons

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:59am

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The Golden State Warriors suffered a 115-101 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Pistons on Friday, with the team missing several key players due to injuries. The loss highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding the Warriors' trade for Kristaps Porzingis, who left the game in the first half with lower back soreness and did not return. The Warriors' decision to trade for the injury-prone Porzingis, rather than packaging Jonathan Kuminga and first-round picks for a more reliable upgrade, is now proving to be a costly mistake.

Why it matters

The Warriors' struggles without their full roster have raised concerns about the team's depth and ability to compete at the highest level, especially with Porzingis' ongoing injury issues. The decision to trade for Porzingis, rather than pursuing other options, could have long-term implications for the team's success both this season and in the future.

The details

Jalen Duren led the Pistons with a game-high 23 points, while Daniss Jenkins added 22. For the Warriors, Brandin Podziemski had a team-high 15 points, but the team was missing several key players, including Stephen Curry, Al Horford, Moses Moody, Seth Curry, and Quinten Post. Porzingis' injury is the latest setback for the Warriors, who have struggled with his availability since acquiring him in a trade.

  • Porzingis left the game in the first half with lower back soreness and did not return.
  • The Warriors traded for Porzingis earlier this season, but he has played in just 7 of 18 games since joining the team.

The players

Kristaps Porzingis

A 7-foot-3 power forward who has struggled with injuries throughout his NBA career, including missing the 2018-19 season with an ACL injury. Since joining the Warriors, he has played in just 7 of 18 games due to various health issues.

Jonathan Kuminga

A young forward who the Warriors traded away in the deal for Porzingis. Kuminga has also struggled with injuries since joining the Atlanta Hawks, playing in just 6 games so far this season.

Draymond Green

A veteran forward for the Warriors who had a poor performance in the loss to the Pistons, with 0 points, 6 assists, and 4 turnovers in 22 minutes of play.

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What’s next

The Warriors will have a difficult decision to make in the offseason regarding Porzingis' future with the team, as they need more talent but can't afford to overpay a player who might play fewer than half the team's games.

The takeaway

The Warriors' decision to trade for the injury-prone Kristaps Porzingis, rather than pursuing other options that could have provided a more reliable upgrade, is now proving to be a costly mistake as the team struggles with injuries and depth issues.