Klay Thompson has been cleared to fully participate in Warriors‘ practices and is moving toward a return the week before Christmas, according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Thompson spent the past week participating in five-on-five scrimmages while the team was on a road trip, and sources tell the authors that he looked good. The scrimmages involved free agent players such as Dante Exum as well as Thompson’s older brother, Mychel.
Thompson hasn’t played since injuring his left ACL during the 2019 NBA Finals, which was nearly 900 days ago. He was prepared to return last season, but suffered a right Achilles tear during a workout. He has fully recovered from both injuries and is now working his way back into game shape.
The Warriors plan to use the next month as a “training camp” experience for Thompson, according to Charania and Slater. Intensity will be heightened throughout the scrimmages to help get him ready for game action.
Over the past month, Thompson has been participating in two-on-two and three-on-three drills with an increased willingness to perform in front of cameras. People who have watched him play say he’s shooting the ball as well as ever and has retained most of the physical aspects of his game, although he has been getting tired quickly.
The Warriors plan to have him make his season debut in a home game, which Charania and Slater note provides a few easy target dates. It appears he will play either December 20 against Sacramento or December 23 against Memphis, ahead of a nationally televised game Christmas Day in Phoenix. If Thompson isn’t ready by then, Golden State has a December 28 home game against Denver.
Damn… where is that Isaac kid at???
Had forgotten about his second injury. I would just be very conservative with Klay. Warriors are playing well. No need to push this. You need him for playoffs and second half. He’s my favorite Warrior. So I’m rooting for him. I’m a big Wiseman and Kuminga guy. So getting these three players into regular rotation. To me it says this team is going to be very good. I’d make sure everyone is right for second half and playoffs. This could be a special year for Warriors.
Getting 3 players into regular minutes is also cutting down playing Time for the actual W providers and can alterate team chemistry … Klay will most definitely see more playing time but Wiseman & Kuminga will probably fight for some minutes over the vets
They don’t have a better C than Wiseman. He can get this team to next level. And Kuminga to me is best 2way talent of his draft. He’s a smart player who will just add what they need. Both playing right gives them great depth.
I don’t see Wiseman nor Kuminga over Looney and Iggy (Long time locker room leaders) even taking more minutes from Nemanja, Otto and Toscano … Klay will also take minutes from Wiggins and Poole because of his status and star talent but Wiseman has a lot of thing to prove to get more playing time.
Absolutely hilarious how he looked BETTER than before his injuries. Klay is going to hang 50 on someone THIS season! Bet on it!
LMAO no team is touching GSW this year, we love to see it, everything is back to how it should be. Also Steph/Dray/Klay will soon have the same amount of rings as Bron, gotta love it!!!
@Marty if it’s a contest, LBJ doing it with 3 different teams wins.
As much as we all adore Klay, he’s not a All time Top 75 player esp with his 2 yr absence. He’s gotta play another great 5 years and he can make the top 100 in the future. Let’s win couple more Titles Klay!!!
As much as you just admitted how dumb you are in leaving out the only player to score 37 points in a quarter and 60 in 3 quarters, Klay Thompson is absolutely a top 75 player in this history. You are wrong, and a fake fan if you think like that.
37 points. In a single quarter. That alone gets him into the top 75. Grow up dude.
Like, why even lead with some negative crud like that? Whats wrong with you? What a really stupid comment. Dumbest GSW “fan” comment ever posted in here and I posted like 1000000x and like 25% of them are trolls lol
75-7 still on the table though. I think we get there.
“Dumbest GSW fan”
But my team is going 75-7.
I can’t even. I can tell you’re 15 years old.
Lets see they have lost 2 right…. (doing some math, pressing some buttons, coming to a figure), they should go 80-2, count it. I would definitely bet the over on 79 if I was you!
The Golden State hate is REAL!!! Haha man I love Bronsexuals
Found Marty’s burner account.
He has played 8 seasons. Just EIGHT. We are talking about all time, not last 20 years. Longevity is his issue for now.
my guy. klay doesn’t hold the record of most points scored in 3 quarters. he owns the record for most points scored in the 3rd quarter tho. wilt owns the record of most points in three quarters with 69 in his 100 point game. guess you got your warriors confused.
Asinine.
Hey Klay, what is more important for you, being considered top 75 or being a key player in one of the top 3 teams ever assembled, winners of 3 rings? Respect please, he’d be top 75 even if he didnt play any more
They’ve played the third easiest schedule to date behind PHO and SAS so pace yourself.
You still got to win those games. GSW only lost 2 very close games that were winnable games. The next 6 games will be their toughest part. If they can win 4 out of 6 you should be very scared of them.
They have done so well with that schedule that they would have the best net rating ever, so they cant control the schedule, but they can over perform despite the softness.
Nah, they beat the bejesus out of Harden and KD last week, it’s time to lean into it. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Hope he comes back well, and no more injuries, please.