The hopes that Klay Thompson will return to NBA action in 2021 are dwindling.
Thompson is still working his way back from his Achilles injury, and the Warriors announced Friday his recovery timetable remains on schedule. But ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported that Golden State is now targeting January dates as intended return possibilities for the shooting guard.
Thompson has been scrimmaging for weeks, and is still ramping up to longer stretches of game play to increase endurance. He had “a couple great days” in Santa Cruz this week, GSW coach Steve Kerr said Friday before the Warriors’ game in Boston. Kerr added the Warriors don’t have a return date for Thompson yet.
Although the team announced that “final stages of his preparation or return-to-play will be conducted with the Warriors,” Kerr said more time in Santa Cruz is also possible.
The Warriors and Thompson have always planned to bring back Thompson at home in the Chase Center. That said, possible dates he could debut include Jan. 3 against Miami, Jan. 9 vs. Cleveland and Jan. 18 vs. Detroit. Those are the first three home games of January for Golden State.
Thompson, a five-time All-Star, hasn’t played since the 2019 NBA Finals, when he suffered a torn ACL. His Achilles injury occurred shortly before the 2020-21 season began. Now it’s unlikely Thompson plays before 2022.
- COVID-19 is sweeping through the NBA again, led by the Omicron variant’s surge. Five Celtics have been added to the health and safety protocol ahead of Friday night’s game. Moses Moody will start in place of Jordan Poole, who entered health and safety protocol Friday morning.
- Stephen Curry is “very much at peace” and “enjoying the afterglow” of breaking the all-time 3-point record on Tuesday, Kerr said. “Now he can focus on the game and the next game ahead. Just keep playing and not have to answer any more questions about it,” Kerr said.
