For the first time in 15 months, Klay Thompson is back on the court at practice for the Golden State Warriors. The five-time All-Star shooting guard was kept out of the entire 2019-20 season with a torn ACL he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals.
Thompson was absent from the first practice at Golden State’s voluntary offseason minicamp as he finished the NBA’s testing protocol. On Friday, the sharpshooting wing made his long-awaited return to Golden State’s training ground.
Over Golden State’s extended offseason, Thompson has been working out in Southern California. Prior to the start of offseason minicamp, Thompson was training at Chase Center with Golden State’s assistant coach Chris DeMarco. Friday served as his first chance to join the court with his Warriors teammates.
The Golden State Warriors Twitter account shared a photo of Thompson getting some shots up inside “The Dubble.”
Via @warriors on Twitter:
No. 11
The Dubble || @NetSuite pic.twitter.com/WPE3HrHQDM
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 25, 2020
In a conference call with Bay Area media, Steve Kerr called Thompson’s return “a sight for sore eyes.” The Golden State Warriors coach said day one was “a good first step” for Thompson.
Via Warriors Sound Cloud:
Number one, it was great to see him — a sight for sore eyes… It’s been a long time coming.
It was great to have him out on the floor, in the locker room. Just his presence alone gave us a jolt of energy and excitement. And then, practice went well. This is the first practice coming off an ACL injury and a year and a half absence, so I didn’t expect him to be in top shape, in top form — and he was not, but he moved well, and it’s a good first step.
Watch a video of Thompson going through drills inside The Dubble via @warriors on Twitter:
Things you love to see: This.
The Dubble || @NetSuite pic.twitter.com/iftslnjtzo
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 26, 2020
Despite Thompson’s appearance at practice, he will have to wait for a reunion with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Thompson’s fellow Splash Brother and Green are listed as doubtful for Golden State’s voluntary minicamp due to family reasons.
Thompson and his teammates will continue working out at San Francisco’s Chase Center until Oct. 6.
