Thompson is in good spirits during recovery, Kerr says
As much as the Warriors and their fans loved seeing Klay Thompson at Chase Center on Tuesday night, they’ll enjoy what he told coach Steve Kerr even more.
Thompson, making his first trip to see the team play this season, gave Kerr an optimistic update on his recovery from an offseason, season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
“I talked to Klay before the game,” Kerr told reporters following a 104-95 loss to Indiana. “It was great to see him. He’s in really good spirits. He’s happy to be up here with his teammates. In his words, the worst is behind him.”
Kerr also revealed Thompson, who is in a walking boot these days, is about to take another important step in his recovery process.
“He’s going to be able to get into the pool next week and start running in the pool. He was very upbeat about everything,” Kerr said.
That kind of positive update takes a bit of the sting out of not having Thompson playing for a second straight season.
And, even though Thompson can’t get on the court, Kerr and the Warriors believe just having him courtside and in the locker room as much as possible is therapeutic for all involved.
With the Warriors embarking on a three-game trip beginning tonight in Denver, perhaps Thompson makes another appearance when the team returns to Chase Center next Wednesday against the Spurs?
That would be welcome news for all, especially Kevon Looney, the Warriors’ sixth-year post player who was overjoyed to have Thompson around Tuesday.
“It was great to see Klay again,” Looney told reporters. “He brings a different type of energy, a different type of joy to the locker room. It’s great to have him out there to be a part of everything, just to see him. He seems to be in great spirits and looking good.
“He’s been one of the leaders and vocal people in our locker room. To have him back has been great.” PASCHALL CLEARS PROTO
COLS AFTER ‘FALSE POSITIVE’TEST>> Eric Paschall has rejoined the Warriors after a COVID-19 test falsely indicated he was infected with the novel coronavirus. Paschall participated in Wednesday’s practice and will be eligible to return tonight when the team begins a three-game trip against the Denver Nuggets.
“I had a false positive,” Paschall said after practice Wednesday. “It was just quarantining for 24 hours until I got my test results back and I came back negative so I’m all good.”
Paschall has become an anchor for Golden State’s second unit in the early portion of the season.
Paschall is averaging 12.1 points per game and has scored in double figures in each of his last eight games. His 15 points in Sunday’s 106-105 win over the Toronto Raptors were a season high.
OUBRE GETS GOING >> Kelly Oubre Jr. entered Tuesday’s game having missed 44 of his 51 3-point attempts this season and shooting 33.6% overall. Tuesday night he made his first four shots, including two 3-pointers, and scored 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to go along with five rebounds and a pair of assists.