It might seem like longer, but Wednesday will mark the one-monthiversary of Klay Day.
Before Klay Thompson rejoined the Warriors on Jan. 9, many wondered how the two-and-a-half year layoff would affect his game. We figured he would still have his shot, and he does. But would he be able to create separation from his defender? Would he be able to hold his own on defense? Would he be able to re-adjust to a smaller, faster NBA?
After one month, you could make an argument that Thompson has returned an even better, more complete player than in 2019.
Klay and his Splash Brother Steph Curry punctuated Monday’s 110-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. A young but feisty OKC squad clawed back within five with 2:39 left, before the Splash Bros accounted for the Warriors’ final nine points on a trio of trifectas, including two from Klay.
In the same arena where Game 6 Klay was born in 2016, he appeared to say “This is my house!” after knocking down a three with 66 seconds left on an assist from Steph.
“I black out in those moments,” Thompson said after the game.
It’s the exact kind of night Thompson could only dream about weeks ago when he was riding in his boat on The Bay and taking fans' questions on Instagram Live to pass the time.
“Winter is coming,” he would say. Well, winter is here. And Klay is still as cold as ever.
“Just confidence knowing he still has that instinct,” Curry said. “He still has that shooter’s DNA.”
Thompson made sure to give a big shoutout Monday to Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports performance and medicine, who is the team’s gatekeeper when it comes to rehabs and health decisions. Klay and Celebrini’s staff worked together closely for two-and-a-half years since the 2019 NBA Finals.
“I feel incredible,” Thompson said. “I give our performance staff so much credit for why I’m feeling like this. They pushed me for a long time. To feel like I haven’t missed a beat, only 12 games in, I’m very indebted to them.”
Thompson played a season-high 29 minutes Monday, including 17 in the second half.
“I don’t take that lightly,” Thompson said. “That’s a big milestone.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Klay’s rotations should be more “fluid” and “cleaner” as Golden State eases minutes restrictions heading into the playoff run. Through his first dozen games back, Thompson is averaging 16.7 points in 23.9 minutes per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the floor and 37.8 from 3-point land. Over his past six, those numbers blossom to 18.7 points in 26.4 minutes per game, while he’s shooting 48.2 percent from the floor and 44.7 percent from distance.
Whereas Thompson looked a little trigger-happy and his teammates were guilty of forcing him passes early on, it seems the Warriors have settled back into an offensive flow during their current nine-game win streak.
“He’s been playing amazing just trying to take what the defense gives him,” Curry said. “Especially, probably the last six or seven, just staying patient and understanding he’s going to get looks. He doesn’t have to rush right out the gate.”
At a 36-minute rate, his 25.1 points per game clip is actually the highest of his career. Thompson’s 4.3 3-pointers made and 11.3 attempted per game dwarf his previous respective career highs of 3.7 made/8.8 attempted in 2015-16.
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Thompson has led the Warriors in scoring the past two contests, including Monday night’s 21-point effort. He’s still capable of going on a one-man run, as evidenced by his quick six 3-pointers last week against the Sacramento Kings. He’s still got the Killa Klay instinct, like he showed against the Brooklyn Nets a couple of weeks ago.
What’s he added?
He’s dribbling more than ever and his floor vision looks to be on another level. Following Monday night’s game, Thompson ribbed 95.7 The Game color analyst Jim Barnett.
“What are you trying to say, Jim, I can’t dribble?” Thompson joked. “You’re right, that is my bread and butter is to shoot. But, you know, I can put it on the ground.”
Thompson's 3.0 assists per game are slightly better than his career-best mark of 2.9 per game in 2014-15. Thompson said he wanted to return as the most efficient player he could be, and his 1.89 assist-to-turnover ratio is higher than his personal best (1.62) from 2018-19.
“His playmaking has obviously been a step [up] from what we remember,” Curry said. “I think we’re slowly seeing strides of progress every game.”
Thompson is yet to be exposed on defense, but has been helped immensely by Andrew Wiggins, who can take the top perimeter threat. For what it’s worth, Thompson’s 103.7 defensive rating is his lowest since 2016-17 (102.4).
Thompson is finding his rhythm and it looks like the Warriors have navigated through his integration period. Jordan Poole continues to settle into his sixth man role and tied his career high with eight assists Monday night. Rookies Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are becoming counted-on contributors. The Warriors are dealing with injuries to Draymond Green (calf/back), Andre Iguodala (back), Nemanja Bjelica (back spasms) and James Wiseman (knee), but Golden State is rolling right along.
“It gives me chills thinking about how good we can be at full strength,” Thompson said.
