Storyline: Klay Thompson Injury
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Melissa Rohlin: Klay said he will definitely play tomorrow and says he has a pretty high pain tolerance—but still feels pain. “Im not invincible,” he said.
Later, on the postgame podium, Draymond would appraise Klay as “one of the toughest guys if not the toughest guy I’ve ever played with.” Draymond also plays with David West. Perhaps that’s explained by Klay’s zen as much as his grit. He just doesn’t care, except for the things he really cares about. He loves basketball and will tune out everything, even immense pain, in order to play it and play it better. After the game, Klay said, “I didn’t realize how much you use your ankle until you hurt it.” That part of life was off his radar, until it came into focus. That’s Klay’s secret. He optimizes what he wants, and ignores what he doesn’t. The result is a game and life that, as Zaza might say, is true.
Marc J. Spears: Klay Thompson (left lateral leg contusion) is available to play
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson will not have a minutes restriction tonight, per a team source.
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson has never missed a playoff game. Kerr said that he met with his staff earlier today to put a plan in place for the rotation in case Thompson can’t go.
Mark Medina: As @Ramona Shelburne and @Sam Amick noted, strong expectation Klay Thompson will play tonight in Game 2. Wouldn’t be surprised if Klay has no minutes restriction either. But will he have limited impact on court? Can he find the same adrenaline to play off of as he did in Game 1?
Over the last six seasons, the average missed time for an isolated high ankle sprain is roughly 10 games. However the variability is high and a quicker return is possible. For example, earlier this season Indiana’s Myles Turner was able to return to action from a high ankle sprain after just three days and one game lost.
The Warriors have been providing Thompson with non-stop treatment and he is currently listed as questionable. However, even if Thompson is able to play, an injury of this magnitude could negatively impact his ability to make hard cuts and come off of screens. With uncertainty lingering, it seems this is just the latest injury to influence this recurring Finals matchup.
Thompson, who suffered a high left ankle sprain in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Cleveland on Thursday, is questionable for Game 2 on Sunday. While talking with reporters on Saturday – his right foot in a sneaker and his left wearing a slider with no socks – Thompson was unsure of whether or not he’ll be able to play. “I’m going to do everything I possibly can to play tomorrow,” he said. “It’s not good.”
When it comes to NBA iron men, Golden State guard Klay Thompson is on the league’s short list. Since being drafted out of Washington State in 2011, the four-time All-Star has missed just 21 regular-season games out of a possible 558. Come playoff time, he’s even more durable: 100% attendance in 99 games. That streak, however, is in serious jeopardy.
Connor Letourneau: Warriors officially listing Klay Thompson as questionable for Game 2.
Anthony Slater: Klay Thompson on JR Smith’s role in his injury: “When I watched the replay, it pissed me off. That’s a tough play on the ball, and just to tumble into somebody’s legs like that…You gotta move past it, but it’s life…It’s just a minor setback. I don’t think it was intentional.”
Marc J. Spears: Warriors guard Klay Thompson (ankle) says he is optimistic he will play in Game 2, “I’m going to do what I possibly can to play.” He added that the under cut accidental slip from Cavs guard JR Smith on the play in which he hurt his ankle wasn’t intentional but it “pissed me off.”
Connor Letourneau: Kevin Durant on Klay Thompson: “Just knowing Klay, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Monte Poole: ‘It’s sore but it’s nothing too bad. It’s less sore than it was last night, so that’s a great sign. And I expect to heal up even more by tonight.’ #Warriors G Klay Thompson today on his L leg contusion.
Anthony Slater: Klay Thompson last night on his injury: “I’ve got a sore ligament. I’m happy it’s just a muscle that got strained a little bit. No damage. The X-rays were negative so I’m happy about that.” Said he will play in Game 2.
Melissa Rohlin: Klay Thompson didn’t think JR Smith tried to intentionally hurt him: “I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I think he was going for the ball. I don’t think it was intentional.”
Midway through the first quarter of Game 1 at Oracle Arena, when the Cavs led 18-15, four-time All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson went down with a left knee injury when Cavs guard J.R. Smith went barreling into him along the sideline. Thompson, who was taken to the locker room and evaluated, suffered only a left lateral leg contusion and returned to start the second quarter.
David Hardisty: Steve Kerr says Andre Iguodala will not play tonight. Klay Thompson will play.
Adam Wexler: Kerr today on Thompson, Iguodala: “I believe Klay will play, but we’re still listing him as questionable, we gotta see how he feels during pregame. And Andre, incremental progress, gametime decision. He needs more treatment, he’ll probably warmup tonight & we’ll see what happens.
Mark Medina: Steve Kerr believes Klay Thompson will play. Andre Iguodala listed as a game-time decision
Connor Letourneau: Kerr said Iguodala is doing better and Thompson is “moving around really well. I think he’s going to be fine.”
Mark Medina: Warriors are listing Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson as questionable for tomorrow in Game 5 vs Rockets
David Aldridge: Postgame, @KlayThompson says his knee is sore but he expects to play in Game 5 Thursday.
Chris Haynes: Golden State guard Klay Thompson tells ESPN he will return from a fractured right thumb tonight at Sacramento. He had missed the past eight games.
Melissa Rohlin: Thompson on whether he’ll play vs. Kings: “Hopefully, I mean it’s up to the training staff and coach Kerr. But I feel great, I feel like I’m shooting great and I’m eager to get out there. I feel like I’m probable.”
Melissa Rohlin: Klay Thompson on whether the tape around his thumb affects his shot: “Not really, to be honest. You get used to it. But if I start missing shots, that’s definitely my excuse. So just write that down now.”
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson said he will “hopefully”play tomorrow. Considers himself probable.
Anthony Slater: Steve Kerr said he hopes Klay Thompson can return this weekend: “Possibly Saturday.” They also play on Sunday.
Melissa Rohlin: Klay on when he hurt his thumb: “I thought it was just a bad sprain. Luckily it wasn’t worse. It hurt. But I’m not going to leave the game with only eight or nine guys we have. I’m not going to leave them out there on an island like that. So I just played through it.”
Monte Poole: ‘He and Rocco are about to get even closer.’ -#Warriors coach Steve Kerr on how @KlayThompson (who during his career has played in 98 percent of available games) will cope with being idle with fractured R thumb Klay does love his dog.
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson said he’s going to try to come back in less than 2 weeks.
Logan Murdock: What is Klay Thompson going to during his time off from injury? Steve Kerr: “He and Rocko [his dog] are about to get even closer.”
Klay Thompson to miss several games
Shams Charania: Golden State Warriors All-Star Klay Thompson’s right thumb injury will likely sideline him several games, and he’s expected to return before end of the month, league sources tell Yahoo.
Sam Amick: Klay Thompson fractured right thumb against Minnesota, as has been reported, and will be re-evaluated March 22. Warriors confident he’ll return somewhere around there, or not long after, I’m told. Not expected to linger.
Chris Haynes: ESPN Sources: Golden State guard Klay Thompson has a fractured right thumb and will be re-evaluated next Thursday, March 22.
Mark Medina: With Klay’s injury, that means both Klay and Steph are out for at least the next four games. No Splash Brothers for at least a week.
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson has a right thumb sprain and Nick Young has a left hip contusion. Both are probable for Wednesday’s game against the Lakers.
Chris Haynes: Golden State says Stephen Curry (right hand contusion), Kevin Durant (sprained left ankle), David West (left lateral knee soreness) and Klay Thompson (sprained right ankle) are a go tonight at Orlando. Andre Iguodala (sore left knee) will sit it out.
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson missed practice tonight.
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson (sore right foot) is good to go tonight.
Connor Letourneau: Patrick McCaw will start for Klay Thompson (sore right foot) tonight. Briante Weber will definitely play, Kerr said.
Adam Lauridsen: Kerr on Klay’s leg: “Klay’s fine.”
Rusty Simmons: Walton on Klay’s ankle: “He’s not well enough to risk it.”
June 19, 2018 | 11:15 am EDT Update
Rod Beard: #Pistons draft workouts today: Elijah Bryant (BYU). Obi Enechionyia (Temple). Zach Lofton (New Mexico St.). Yante Maten (Georgia). E.C. Matthews (Rhode Island). Nuni Omot (Baylor)
Nick DePaula: Potential top 10 NBA Draft pick Lonnie Walker IV has agreed to a multi-year footwear & apparel endorsement deal with Adidas. ESPN’s @DraftExpress says the 6’5” high flyer “has as high of an upside as any guard in the 2018 Draft.”
The Charlotte Hornets today unveiled additional plans for the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the inaugural 1988-89 Hornets season during the 2018-19 NBA campaign and announced a deal with Spectrum to serve as presenting partner of the season-long commemoration. Hornets legend Muggsy Bogues has joined the organization as a Hornets Ambassador, alongside current Hornets Ambassador and FOX Sports Southeast analyst Dell Curry. Curry and Bogues were both selected by the Hornets in the 1988 NBA Expansion Draft and remain the two longest-tenured players in franchise history with 701 games and 632 games played, respectively.
June 19, 2018 | 8:42 am EDT Update
Cavaliers interested in Kemba Walker?
Cleveland has in fact inquired about Kawhi Leonard’s availability from the Spurs, among others, and league sources suggested Charlotte’s Kemba Walker could be in play for the Cavs.
The Cavaliers will not know what LeBron James intends to do this summer when they execute their NBA draft plan Thursday, numerous sources told cleveland.com. James has until June 29 to exercise the $35.6 million player’s option on his contract for next season, and if he lets it pass then he’s an unrestricted free agent who could still return to Cleveland.
