Klay Thompson won't return to the Warriors for their upcoming homestand, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The Warriors have assured that Thompson's return following two-plus missed seasons will happen at Chase Center. A few weeks ago, Charania reported that Monday's contest against the Sacramento Kings or next Thursday's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies could be possible return dates for Thompson. Now the Dec. 28 home game against Denver Nuggets seems like the earliest possible return, while the Warriors' next home game would be Jan. 3 against the Miami Heat.
Following Steph Curry's record-breaking night Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, Steve Kerr said Thompson's return could be an even more special moment. Warriors owner Joe Lacob said it could be the most emotional day in franchise history.
Thompson and second-year center James Wiseman missed out on Curry's big night as they were rehabbing with the Santa Cruz Warriors, but both players were recalled to Golden State Wednesday. Thompson has been cleared for full practice but is focused on ramping up his conditioning to NBA game standards. He hasn't played since Game 6 of the 2019 Finals after tearing his ACL and Achilles in consecutive years.
Warriors president and general manager Bob Myers discussed Thompson's rehab with 95.7 The Game's "The Morning Roast" on Tuesday. It sounds like the franchise is in no rush to bring back Klay.
“I’m excited for it to happen, too," Myers said. "We haven’t even decided internally when it’ll be. We’ll talk to [director of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Celibrini] and Klay. But the good news is, there’s a light. If you’re in this tunnel, it’s been a long tunnel for Klay and you can see this light. As the closer we get, like you guys, I want to see him so bad, for our team, for many reasons, for him."
