For the first time ever, Klay Thompson took the floor at Chase Center Monday in front of fans for a pregame warmup session close to tip off. After a quick twirl and wave of acknowledgement for the crowd, Thompson joined Steph Curry and Draymond Green on the court to get some shots up. Just like old times.
Once he left the floor, Thompson held six fingers up. His return could be just six days away.
The next time Klay runs out of the tunnel at Chase Center, it could be for real. Before Monday’s 115-108 win over the Miami Heat, Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged it’s a possibility that Thompson could return Sunday, as ESPN reported earlier Monday.
Draymond said he got some extra juice warming up with Klay again Monday.
"I've seen what he's been through the last two-and-a-half years," Green said. "It's not pretty. For those fans to line up out there like that and show that support for him -- I was a little salty that once he walked off the warmup was dead after that. ... Just to share the court with him for three minutes was incredible for me. I'm looking forward to him having his day. Klay Day."
What’s encouraging for the Warriors is how good they’ve been without Thompson. Monday’s victory came with a caveat against the Heat, who were without starting center Bam Adebayo and shooting guard Duncan Robinson before losing star Jimmy Butler to a third-quarter ankle injury. Still, the Warriors got the ‘W’ and tote the NBA’s best record at 29-7.
Jordan Poole provided instant offense from the bench and finished with a 32 points. Green returned from a stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocols to drive the offense and record 13 assists. Andrew Wiggins scored the first eight points for the Warriors en route to 22 points as he continues to make a case for his first career All-Star bid. Curry had an off night and only scored 9 points on 3-of-17 shooting.
Add Klay to this mix? Yeesh.
Gary Payton II started in the backcourt alongside Curry Monday, with Kerr saying it was matchup-based. But it also gave Poole the chance to get used to his bench role, and he shined in his 26 minutes.
"We needed all of his 32 points," Kerr said. "What a luxury to be able to come off the bench with a guy who's just started the first 35 games or whatever it was. Jordan has turned into a critical player for us and he will remain to be critical with all the guys coming back."
Poole finished 12-of-17 from the field, 5-of-9 from 3-point land, and provided the game's dagger with a one-handed hammer in the final two minutes.
Poole said teammates like Andrew Wiggins have given him a hard time for his jumping ability lately, so he took some extra satisfaction in the dunk.
"It was cool," Poole said. "They try to tell me I ain't got no bounce, in the weight room. My actions speak louder than my words."
His teammates liked his dunk, too.
"Jordan has what we call 'sneaky bounce,'" Payton said. "Every once in a while he'll sneak dunk somebody."
Listen to Bay Area sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Warriors team gear
In all seriousness, Payton said Poole has handled coming off the bench well.
"He's handled it with a lot of maturity," Payton said. "He understands we're a deep team. Lineups are going to change. I think he just wants best for the team and anything he can do to help the team."
Kerr suspects it won’t be hard to re-insert Thompson back in the lineup whenever he does return. If Klay isn’t back Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors’ next home game is Jan. 18 against the Detroit Pistons, which marks the start of a seven-game homestand.
"I've told all those guys, don't cater to Klay," Kerr said. "Because he'll get his shots, don't worry about it. Klay's going to be fine."
Kerr also said he can envision Thompson, Poole and Curry all on the floor together in the same lineup.
"I'm sure that'll happen," Kerr said. "It'll be a great shooting lineup."
