Thompson is not happy with taking time off
Kerr says injury a blessing in disguise so guard can rest
OAKLAND » Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Klay Thompson will be out a couple of weeks because of his fractured right thumb. Thompson, however, has something else in mind.
“I think I can be back sooner,” Thompson said. “But we’ll see how my recovery goes. I have faith that I’ll be back sooner than a couple of weeks.”
The team already has a long list of battered and bruised players.
The newest to the list is Kevin Durant, who practiced Thursday but is listed as questionable for today’s game against Sacramento because of right rib soreness.
The Warriors will be without Stephen Curry (sprained right ankle), who will miss at least three more games before he’s re--
evaluated Tuesday, and Patrick McCaw (non- displaced fracture, left wrist) remains out.
Draymond Green, who missedWednesday’s game because of a sore right shoulder, will play today. Jordan Bell (right ankle sprain), David West (right arm cyst) and Quinn Cook (right- hand contusion) are probable.
Kerr, however, said the injuries aren’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, both Thompson and Curry will be well-rested heading into the playoffs.
“That’s going to give us a great energy boost,” Kerr said. “In the meantime, we have some other guys getting some minutes. It’s good for morale. It’s good for the team.”
Thompson sustained the injury in the second quarter of a game against Minnesota on Sunday. He finished that game but missed the Warriors’ 117106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. He will be out at least until next Thursday when he’s re- evaluated.
“I thought it was just a bad sprain,” Thompson said. “Luckily it wasn’t worse. It hurt. But I’m not going to leave the game with only eight or nine guys. I’m not going to leave them out there on an island like that. So I just played through it.”
It’s par for the course for Thompson, who over his seven- season career has played in 530 of a possible 543 games.
In fact, Kerr called Thompson’s injury a blessing in disguise because he’ll finally be forced to get some rest.
“I think it will be good for Klay to rest his body, rest his mind,” Kerr said. “He does so much for us every single night and he never takes a rest. I’m sure by the time he gets back he’s going to be itching to get out there.”
Thompson isn’t as thrilled about the respite.
“It sucks,” said Thompson, a four- time All- Star who is averaging 19.7 points this season. “I like waking up every morning knowing I have a game that night. It’s a lot of fun.”
That being said, he already has a plan for how he’s going to use his time off.
“I just got to attack my workouts differently, use this time to get stronger and not just maintain,” Thompson said.
Thompson said he will travel with the Warriors to Phoenix for their game Saturday against the Suns. He’s not sure yet whether he will accompany the team for Monday’s game at San Antonio.
When asked how he’s been able to avoid any serious injuries over his NBA career, Thompson said he’s had a lot of luck.
“A lot of guys just get unlucky breaks,” Thompson said. “For me, it was just being fortunate not to get pushed around a lot. Probably just willpower. I just don’t like missing games. I like competing. Probably those two things — luck and willpower.”
That’s been a huge asset for Kerr, who often likens Thompson to a machine.
“He won the genetic lottery, as Bill Walton would say,” Kerr said. “He’s a big strong, healthy guy. Some guys are just blessed with that type of resilience. It’s amazing as a coach. To be able to count on that is lucky.”
Thompson said he can’t wait until he’s cleared to play.
“It’s really weird watching, not participating,” Thompson said. “But hopefully it will all be in the past in a few games and I’ll be back on the court doing what I do.”
That being said, he’s trying to remain positive considering the Warriors are hoping to play well into June in pursuit of their second straight NBA championship.
“I’ ll get some wellearned rest,” Thompson said. “And I’ll be mentally fresh, most importantly, in a week. I’ll be eager to get out there. That’s how I look at it.”
Kerr pointed out that the injury will have another plus for Thompson. He’ll get to spend some extra time with his beloved bulldog, Rocco.
“He and Rocco are about to get even closer,” Kerr said.