Ahead of tonight’s marquee contest against the Nets, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Allie LaForce of TNT (Twitter video link) that long-injured shooting guard Klay Thompson partook in his first five-on-five practice since tearing his Achilles last year.
Thompson had already participated in several three-on-three practices at this point, according to LaForce, who noted that five-on-five workouts marked the “next step” for Thompson’s recuperation. A Christmas Day return for Thompson has long been targeted. Without him, the Warriors are a league-leading 12-2, thanks in large part to the MVP caliber play of Thompson’s backcourt mate Stephen Curry.
It’s been a rough two years for Thompson. The former five-time All-Star and three-time champion first missed the entire 2019/20 NBA season due to a torn ACL, then tore his Achilles before the 2021/22 season.
LaForce added that injured Golden State center James Wiseman, meanwhile, has yet to participate in five-on-five workouts with the club. Wiseman suffered a season-ending right meniscus tear last season. He was cleared to begin practicing with the club earlier this month. LaForce cautioned that this isn’t necessarily an indicator that Wiseman would return to the floor for Golden State after Thompson. Wiseman was drafted with the second pick out of Memphis last year.
12-2 not 11-3 after smoking the Nets!
Dubs are already so dangerous. Just put a beat down on the Nets and are looking like their old self.
I have noticed the warrior haters are in hiding. Thompson coming back is like the team trading for a all star with draft picks. Just stay injury free and the team will be champs again.
Harden is such a fraud. 14 points tonight if you subtract the cheating points, he’s always been nothing but a decent 6th man who cheated to add 15 PPG to his avg. Nothing better beating that clown!!
Imagine actually believing he was an all-time great, smh you might as well write “Sell me magic beans” on your forehead.
Nets have no chance to see the Finals if Harden is playing like Russ … Definitely need Kyrie
Harden should have fouled out. I saw him doing a lot of shoving and hacking. How did the refs miss that shove on Potter and instead call him for a travel. it wa so obvious.
It’s no crazier than believing the Warriors are going 75-7 this season. Right?
In another few weeks you can change it to 70-12, then 65-17, and so on…..
But you don’t even need any Warriors haters here with Marty around.
The thing that’s great about Klay Thompson coming back is that he’s another SHOOTER. Rather than adding another “player” who’s good at all the other stuff, adding a shooter is really a great thing. He fits anywhere on the floor and doesn’t need to be acclimated too much. Spots up and lets it fly like the Klay of old. He’s not a dribbler creator and he won’t get in the way of the other guys. Should be a very seamless transition bringing him back into the fold.
He’s also an elite defender.
The reports of him being identical if not better than 2018-19 Klay = chip #4 coming June.
How about adding the second best shooter of all time (maybe the best catch and shoot). He may be rusty on D and some other things, but he has been able to do his shooting work for months now so I expect it to be money real quick. Dont need explosiveness to knock down the open 3s.
Warriors are going to make up for 2016 in both the W-L record and actually winning the chip this time!
75-7 on the table now they’re adding Klay at very most likely better than 100%. RIP haters, here’s an L for you!
“at very most likely better than 100%”
How much better do you think? I am going with Thompson being at 137%
Maybe Hoopsrumors should start a poll.
And, the Warriors still have the mid-level exception. Most do not think they will use it due to their salary cap penalties problems. However, it gives them great flexibility to add someone down the stretch if some suffers a serious injury, etc. or they really feel one more player will fortify the team for a long playoff run.
Caruso was the guy to go at with MLE, now i would go @ Theis or Kyle Anderson or Thius Jones but Chiozza could help to play basic pickNroll with Wiseman & Kuminga
Last night showed me that GSW is deeper than possibly the 2015-2019 run. GPII is a great addition off the bench. This team is dangerous. And wiseman hasn’t even played yet? GOOD LORD.
Calm down Marty, after 2016 chokejob, I doubt Kerr would care for regular season records, I have them at 60-22 at this rate.
BTW: Steph has been amazing last 1+ year. The best player in the league. He got robbed last year. Team record aside, look at the supporting cast he had last year, and they were in the play in game. Probably the biggest MVP snub since Kobe in 2005-06.
Warriors’ management should be applauded for staying disciplined and patient in the offseason. While every outlet was pitching “Trade for KAT! Trade for Turner! Trade for Dame! Trade for Beal!” they acknowledged the talent on the roster and invested in the tried-and-true Steve Kerr to guide their decisions. Now they are 13-2 and will make the biggest acquisition possible…the return of Klay Thompson. All without giving up Wiseman, Poole, Kuminga, or future picks like so many people were demanding in the offseason.