NBA star says 'I don't have AIDS' in dig at 'internet doctors' after mysterious disappearanceSahil Kurup Wed, October 14, 2026 at 10:45 PM UTC
Kristaps Porzingis continues to deal with an unknown illness which has limited his participation with the Golden State Warriors -Credit:Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images (Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images)
Kristaps Porzingis has been out of sight for weeks, and the speculation online got so loud that he felt the need to shut down one rumor directly.
The Golden State Warriors forward-center missed training camp and the first five NBA preseason games because of a health-related matter. On Tuesday, he returned to the team’s practice facility and met with general manager Mike Dunleavy and Dr. Rick Celebrini, the team’s vice president of player health and performance.
The Warriors, who are already dealing with a nightmare situation just before the season tips off, said the contents of that meeting will remain private. They added that Porzingis will remain out indefinitely but will be around the team.
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On Wednesday, Porzingis addressed his situation on X. He wrote that he is working with doctors and experts to return to full health and that he feels he is improving. “I just have to stay patient, and I believe I’ll be feeling great again soon,” Porzingis wrote.
He acknowledged the toll the uncertainty has taken. “It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can’t exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it,” Porzingis wrote. “Health is wealth. Thank you for all the support.”
In a reply to that post, he took aim at the guessing game playing out online. “I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I’m in the best hands,” Porzingis wrote. “So everyone can relax now and I don’t have hiv or aids.”
The Warriors have been vague about the cause since Dunleavy announced Sept. 28 that Porzingis would be out indefinitely. Dunleavy said at the time that Porzingis had been taking part in offseason activities before the issue arose.
“He’s been participating in everything,” Dunleavy said. “It just kind of popped up.”
Porzingis did not travel with the team to Hawaii for camp, and coach Steve Kerr said last week that he had not seen him and called the situation “definitely concerning.”
Porziņgis has played for 6 NBA teams in his career -Credit:Getty Images
Health has been a recurring issue for the 7-foot-2 center. He has missed a combined 90 games over the past two seasons.
He began dealing with a prolonged upper respiratory viral illness in February 2025 while with the Boston Celtics, and he later revealed a diagnosis of POTS, a condition that affects blood flow regulation and can cause a rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.
It is not clear whether his current issue is related. Porzingis averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 32 games for Golden State last season.
His absence is already reshaping the roster. Kerr said Monday he is leaning toward a starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green, with Green moving to center. Al Horford and Charles Bassey are expected to share the remaining minutes there.
Source: Sports
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