Klay Thompson injury update: Cleared for 5-on-5, full contact

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 04: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors looks on before the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 04, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Golden State Warrior shooting guard Klay Thompson has been cleared for full contact in NBA games as he begins 5-on-5 training.

The Golden State Warriors were already early frontrunners for the 2021-22 NBA Championship.

Now, the Warriors’ “Death Lineup” just got even deadlier.

Shooting guard Klay Thompson has just been cleared for full contact as of Nov. 18. Thompson has been sidelined the entire NBA season thus far with a torn Achilles suffered in 2020.

Although he is cleared, Thompson won’t be joining the Warriors on their current four-game tour on the East Coast. Instead, Thompson remains in San Francisco as he begins 5-on-5 work with Golden State support staff.

Klay Thompson cleared for “full contact” as he trains 5-on-5

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered further details on Thompson’s development after Tuesday’s 117-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

“He played 5-on-5 [Monday] and then I think he’s going to play 5-on-5 [Wednesday],” Kerr said. “A two-year absence requires a lot of work. Not just a rehab, but the endurance, the strength, so it’s great that he’s playing 5-on-5 but it doesn’t mean he’s going to be ready to step on an NBA floor next week or something, but he’s progressing really well.”

The Warriors were expecting Thompson to play around Christmas, which seems to be on schedule given his current development. Both Draymond Green and Steph Curry look forward to reuniting with their valued teammate.

Curry is “glad to hear he’s continuing to make strides”, while Green said the team is “waiting with open arms when he decides to come back.”

“We’re not expecting him to be Klay Thompson of 2018 right away, but he’s worked his a** off,” Green said. “He’s worked his a** off for this moment, and I’m looking forward to getting him back out there.”

Thompson tore his ACL during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, then tore his Achilles in November 2020, prompting a lengthy rehab process from these serious injuries.

Klay and his teammates have taken it all in stride, and when he does rejoin 2021’s deadly lineup, he and Golden State will be more than ready.

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