OAKLAND, Calif. _ The Warriors' All-Star usually spends his time hoisting up shots or locking down defenders. He then usually spends his free time either with his beloved dog, exploring the Bay Area or relaxing.
Recently, though, Klay Thompson has spent most of his time this week either on the trainer's table and the cold tub. That will stop soon. The Warriors anticipate Thompson will play against the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Thursday after missing Game 3.
"I think I can impact Game 4 by doing what I do," Thompson said. "That's getting buckets and getting stops."
The Warriors sure would have loved Thompson to offer those qualities in Game 3. The Warriors arguably could have won that game had Thompson spent his time on the court instead of in warmups on the bench.
Hence, Thompson admitted lobbying to the Warriors' training and coaching staff about playing. After all, he had played previously in all 100 NBA playoff games through his eight-year career. Despite nursing a left ankle contusion in Game 1 of last year's NBA Finals against Cleveland, Thompson still played. The Warriors did not want to take any risks this time, though.
The reason? Hamstring injuries can worsen with any slight move. Hence, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he "never would have forgiven myself if I had played him tonight and he had gotten hurt." Dr. Rick Celebrini, the Warriors' director of sports medicine and performance, has often handled the Warriors' players with care this season.
"I get where Steve and the staff are coming from. The risk was too great," Thompson said. "Being down 2-1 is not the end of the world. I've been in this position before. We're getting guys back. It just sucks missing a Finals game. This is what we work our whole lives for. At the end of the day, I'd rather miss one game than an entire series. It wasn't the end of the world."
After all, both Kerr and Thompson said he will play in Game 4 without any minutes restriction. Thompson reported making progress with his shooting and running workouts this week. And there is a possibility he will feel pain free later on Thursday.
"We'll see after this workout I do this afternoon," Thompson said. "But I anticipate I'll be feeling pretty good compared to where I was yesterday. I woke up feeling good. So I'm excited."
And if he doesn't feel well, Thompson anticipates he will have a remedy that will take care of his hamstring.
"Once the game starts and I feel the crowd and energy," Thompson said, "I'll be fine."
