Warriors open without Porzingis as Butler builds toward a winter return
Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely with a private health-related issue, and Jimmy Butler is targeting a January to February return from a torn right ACL, as the Golden State Warriors prepare for their 21 October opener.
The Golden State Warriors open their regular season on 21 October against the Lakers in Los Angeles without Kristaps Porzingis, who is out indefinitely with a private health-related issue, while Jimmy Butler is targeting a January to February return from a torn right ACL, per ESPN.
Porzingis is out indefinitely
The club made the announcement on 14 October. Per ESPN, the Warriors said the absence is tied to a private, health-related issue, that he is not cleared to practise, and that the team will update his status when appropriate. He is expected to stay around the team through the preseason and the opener. The details are being kept private. ESPN reports that Porzingis met general manager Mike Dunleavy and lead medical decision-maker Rick Celebrini at the team's San Francisco facility on 13 October.
Per ESPN, Porzingis told Dunleavy on the eve of training camp that he would not report, and he has missed the Hawaii trip and the first five preseason games. On social media, he said he is working with doctors and experts to return to full health and believes he will feel great again soon, according to ESPN.
Last season Porzingis played 34 games, split between Atlanta and Golden State. Per ESPN, the Warriors acquired him in February in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga, and he re-signed this summer on a two-year deal worth $40 million.
Butler's ACL timeline
Butler tore his right ACL on 19 January 2026 against Miami, which ended his season. Per ESPN, he was averaging 21.3 points on 53% shooting in January, and his last game before the injury was 32 points on 14-of-22 shooting in a blowout win over the Knicks. ESPN reports that Butler is targeting a January-to-February return, and asked about that target, he said, per ESPN:
“Y'all just find out whenever y'all find out.”
Kerr said, per ESPN:
“We get Jimmy back around February instead of losing him in February. So, what's our job?”
Per ESPN, the Warriors went 12-26 after Butler's injury and finished 37-45, losing in the play-in tournament.
Who is out, and when
Neither Butler nor Moses Moody has moved beyond individual court work, per ESPN.
| Player | Condition | Timeline reported |
|---|---|---|
| Kristaps Porzingis | Private health-related issue | Out indefinitely; not cleared to practise |
| Jimmy Butler | Torn right ACL, 19 January 2026 | Targeting January to February return |
| Moses Moody | Left patellar tendon | Projected December to January |
The lineup Kerr is building
Kerr is leaning toward a smaller opening lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green, per ESPN. Neither Porzingis nor Butler is among those five names.
The Warriors beat the Lakers 101-89 on 13 October in Las Vegas, per NBA.com, moving to 3-2 in the preseason with one game left, against Portland. Per NBC Sports Bay Area, Podziemski and Lendeborg scored 17 points each against the Lakers and Santos added 10. Per NBC Sports Bay Area, Curry scored 11 on 3-of-9 shooting. Before the game, Kerr said Lendeborg's opening-night starting spot is “looking that way” but that nothing is confirmed, per NBA.com.
What to watch next
Butler's contract runs on a parallel clock. He becomes eligible for an extension on 6 February, and his current deal, worth $56.8 million, expires, per ESPN.