Kristaps Porzingis has retired from professional basketball at the age of 31, ending his career due to a complex combination of severe injuries and an autonomic nervous system disorder, as Sport1 reported.
The Golden State Warriors center announced his decision in a social media statement on Friday, pointing to his physical state during pre-season workouts. “I had really looked forward to playing with this group this season, but as I ramped up my workload, my body did not respond the way I expected,” Porzingis wrote. “I am doing well, but I know what is required, and I am not where I want to be to play at the level I expect of myself.”
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The retirement brings a premature close to a career marked by immense skill on the perimeter and a relentless string of medical setbacks. Porzingis tore the ACL in his left knee in 2018, underwent right knee meniscus surgery in 2020, and required another operation on his left leg in 2024. Beyond structural orthopaedic injuries, his availability collapsed over his final two seasons due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, commonly known as POTS, which causes extreme fatigue, dizziness, and rapid heart rates during physical exertion.
According to Sport1, Porzingis first contracted a lengthy respiratory illness with the Boston Celtics in February 2025, which preceded his POTS diagnosis. Across his final two campaigns, he missed a combined 90 regular-season games.
Contract Complications and Salary Cap Impact for Golden State
Porzingis’s retirement creates an intricate financial and roster puzzle for the Warriors front office. The franchise signed the Latvian big man in the offseason to a two-year, $40 million contract carrying a $20 million salary for the current year. noted that ESPN reported the Warriors had already withheld salary disbursements due to his absence, arguing the center was not rendering his contractual services.
Despite his retirement, the contract does not simply vanish from Golden State’s salary cap ledger. Team management retains the flexibility to utilize the remaining salary slot in potential trades, and the contract carries only a $3 million guarantee for the 2027ā28 season. How the franchise and Porzingis ultimately settle the remainder of the agreement remains unresolved.
In his farewell statement, Porzingis expressed gratitude to his family, confidants, and supporters, while confirming that he and the Warriors are actively working to resolve their contractual standing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kristaps Porzingis’s Retirement
What medical condition forced Kristaps Porzingis to retire?
Porzingis stepped away from basketball due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system diagnosed following a prolonged respiratory illness in February 2025. The condition triggers severe fatigue, dizziness, and heart racing during physical activity, compounding a history of knee and leg surgeries.
How many games did Porzingis miss before his retirement?
Porzingis missed a combined 90 games across his final two NBA seasons, ultimately failing to appear in a single contest for the Golden State Warriors during the current campaign due to his ongoing autonomic symptoms.
What happens to Porzingis’s contract with the Warriors?
Golden State signed Porzingis in the offseason to a two-year, $40 million deal featuring a $20 million salary for this season. While the team previously suspended salary disbursements over his absence, the contract remains on the books and can legally be packaged into a trade, with only $3 million guaranteed for the 2027ā28 season.
Earlier coverage: Kristaps Porzingis Steps Away from Basketball at 31, Citing Health Issues
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