When Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL in his right knee Jan. 19, everything changed for the Warriors.

Before Butler’s injury, they had won 9 of 12 games and had seemingly found their rhythm after a bumpy start to the season. But after he was sidelined, the Warriors have lost 7 of 11.

The Warriors tried to take a big swing for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but the Bucks decided not to trade their superstar. So, the Warriors pivoted and acquired Kristaps Porzingis, who is questionable to make his Warriors debut Thursday.

The Warriors are in eighth place in the Western Conference at 29-26. Here are their three biggest storylines as they approach the stretch run of the season:

If Porzingis is healthy, the Warriors could be competitive. Porzingis, who helped the Celtics win a championship in 2024, is a three-level scorer who will space the floor for Steph Curry with his 3-point shooting and his low-post skills. The problem is the 7-foot-2 center has only played in 17 games this season because of issues with his left Achilles tendon as well as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy expressed confidence that Porzingis’ health won’t be an issue.

“We feel good about it,” Dunleavy said Feb. 7. “We looked into it pretty in depth. We believe in our medical staff. There’s no guarantees, there’s no certainty, but kind of where he’s at right now, where he’s been, we feel good about it.”

Dunleavy said acquiring Porzingis for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield was a smart gamble for the Warriors. The relationship between Kuminga and the franchise that selected him as the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft had become fractured, and Kuminga had only played in three games for the Warriors since Dec. 6.

“We’re sending out a player in a similar boat that struggled to stay on the floor,” Dunleavy said. “I think from our standpoint, we recognize the risk medically (with Porzingis), but it’s a risk we’re willing to take.”

Meanwhile, Porzingis, who averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots a game this season for the Hawks, called joining the Warriors a great opportunity. When asked if he’s confident he can remain on the floor despite his health issues, he didn’t hesitate.

Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos