The Golden State Warriors traded for Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline, but haven't gotten to enjoy his services very much in the past month he's been with the team. Though Porzingis got over the Achilles tendinitis that had kept him out for much of the season with the Atlanta Hawks and through the All-Star break, the big man was then afflicted by a mysterious illness after playing just one game in the blue and gold.

It's unfortunate knowing one of the knocks against Porzingis in his career has been his availability, and the fact that it was put on full display immediately. However, after a long two weeks with little to no information about Porzingis' illness, he finally made his return to action and played his second game since January on Saturday evening against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Despite the Warriors' loss on Saturday, it was a valiant effort in which Porzingis put forth a solid effort: 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 23 minutes.

After the game, Porzingis was asked about how he felt in his first game action in two and a half weeks.

"I felt like my body is coming back to what I need to be. Just got one workout in and felt pretty decent. Especially getting traded somewhere else, I want to get out there as soon as possible, and after sitting out a couple games, I was like stinging a little bit, but today was okay. I still feel a little bit heavy, shot's not in a good rhythm, missing some free throws and all that, but we're going to build from this game. I think I'll be able to move better and better with each game."

Porzingis also partially opened up about his illness in particular, saying it was somewhat related to the illness he was dealing with in Boston last year, but not diving fully into the specifics.

"Just some health stuff a little bit. I believe I will be healthy now. This is what I really feel ... obviously I've been in and out and out again, but this time, I really feel like this is it. Finally getting out there healthy ... I don't want to go too much into it but I'm happy that I'm feeling good now."

With just 19 games left on the Warriors' schedule, time is ticking down for them to make a push out of the 8th seed. In fact, they might be in danger of slipping into the 9th seed now.

At 32-21, they're just one game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers for 9th in the Western Conference, and while 10th isn't as close, as the Portland Trail Blazers are 2.5 games behind, a really bad stretch could easily cause a major slip in the standings. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns are now 4 games ahead as the 7th seed, while the Lakers and Nuggets are nearly insurmountably 6.5 games ahead.

No matter where the Warriors think they can end up, though, they'll need Porzingis to be a big part, especially if Curry has to miss any more time after his re-evaluation this week. Porzingis finished the Thunder game as the team's plus/minus leader with +6, and though he didn't shoot well, he clearly provided a new dimension on both offense and defense with his size and length.

Al Horford and Quinten Post have both been playing well, so to have a three-headed monster at the center rotation could be very valuable to carry a Warriors team that has been severely lacking on the wing and guard positions due to injuries.