Thompson practices for first time since ACL injury
Klay Thompson practiced with the Warriors for the first time Friday since he tore his left ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
Thompson was cleared to join the Warriors for the third day of minicamp after completing a 48-hour quarantine at the hotel the team is staying at in San Francisco. This marked the first time since last June that Thompson, 30, has participated in a group workout with the team.
Before the start of minicamp Monday, which runs through Oct. 6, Thompson worked out one- on- one for a few days at Chase Center with assistant coach Chris DeMarco. On Friday, he worked in some 3- on-3 scrimmages. The Warriors have yet to hold 5-on-5 scrimmages as head coach Steve Kerr eases the players into their first group activities since their season ended in March.
“It’s been a long time coming, and it’s great to have him out on the floor, in the locker room,” Kerr said of Thompson. “Just his presence alone gave us a jolt of energy and excitement.
“I didn’t expect him to be in top shape, and he was not. But he moved well, and it was a good first step.”
This minicamp offers Thompson a chance to reestablish his conditioning and build chemistry with several new teammates. Of the 15 players at minicamp Friday, Thompson has previously played with only center Kevon Looney and guard Damion Lee. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are not participating due to personal reasons.
Prior to the torn ACL, which sidelined Thompson all of the 2019-20 season, he hadn’t missed more than a handful of games in a season in his ca
reer. The Warriors are optimistic that Thompson can return to his pre-injury form, when he averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 34 minutes per game.
“I think it’s a process that he has to go through, and there’s no shortcutting the process,” Kerr said.
During these workouts, Thompson will test the left knee he has meticu
lously rehabbed over the last year by putting weight on it and making contact with teammates in scrimmages. He is being encouraged to share how his knee feels with director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini.
“If he feels like there’s a weakness in an area, then he’s got to work with our (training) staff on that area. That’s the whole plan,” Kerr said. “That’s a big reason for him being here, to figure that stuff out. To figure out where he needs the work and what he needs to get done.”