Golden State Warriors swingman Klay Thompson stated it”kills” him to be missing his second straight season, now due to an Achilles tear, but the prior All-Star stated his rehab is coming along well and that he still plans on playing “a very long moment.”
Talking for the first time since suffering a season-ending right Achilles tear during a workout on Nov. 18, Thompson was in good spirits as he spoke the very long process that he faces.
“I am living great,” Thompson told NBC Bay Area throughout the Warriors’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. “To be back in the building I’m so eagerly awaiting to perform . Just a bit bored sometimes. Stuff’s slow with attempting to let my Achilles heal and get to the next phase, which is freedom work, but I’m feeling good. I am pleased to be with my teammates, of course.
“Regrettably, I am not playing. It disturbs me each day, but I plan on playing for a long time, and I don’t wish to have any accidents come this rehab.”
The Warriors were expecting Thompson could help push back the organization to championship contention, but those dreams evaporated just a few hours before the 2020 draft when Thompson injured his Achilles during a work in Los Angeles.
As saddened as the Warriors were about Thompson’s latest injury, they’re happy he has been around the group more because having surgery to repair his Achilles in late November. Thompson has been at several Warriors home games at Chase Center, cheering on his teammates from the bench.
Thompson confessed during Saturday’s game he had been hoping to not do the interview but the banner hanging helped change his mind.
“I did not wish to do it, but I watched this background and somebody went through great lengths to make that happen,” Thompson described as the banner together with the hashtag #reporterKlay was onscreen . “Therefore I felt bad not fulfilling my end of the offer.”
As he did last season during a brief appearance as a sideline reporter, Thompson had a little fun with Golden State broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike during the telecast. Among those discussions that came up centered around Thompson’s 3-point record, which arrived when he struck 14 3-pointers in an October 2018 game against the Chicago Bulls.
“That is probably going to be broken here in the next few years,” Thompson said.” Steph Curry — it’s around Steph. Zach LaVine was shut. But I could break it again, I really don’t know. I really don’t think that’s going to continue that long.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted before Saturday’s competition he didn’t understand Thompson was going to drop in on the telecast, but Kerr said he’d make note of their appearance when he watched later.
“So when I see the tape of this match, I shall certainly have the volume up.”
Thompson ended up coming back to his perch several rows away from the Warriors seat to interview longtime teammate Curry, but not before offering his commentary on a postgame dust-up involving Pistons swingman Rodney McGruder and a few Warriors players.
As the tilt concluded, McGruder walked from one end of the ground to the other — close to the entry to the Warriors tube — to face a few of those Golden State players as they walked off the court. McGruder was yelling in the direction of the tunnel and had to be pushed back a couple times by Pistons staffers therefore he’d head back in the direction of the Detroit locker room.
Thompson, who was already wearing his headset to be able to talk to Curry, was requested by Fitzgerald and Azubuike what was going on down to the floor. Thompson may be heard asking Warriors swingman Juan Toscano-Anderson concerning the situation. Subsequently Thompson provided his take on McGruder as Fitzgerald attempted to steer Thompson away from additional commentary.
The Pistons did not go over the incident postgame. Kerr, when asked about it, said he wasn’t sure what had happened.
Thompson’s frustration with his most recent setback was clear as he saw that the quarrel in a distance.
“That is the stuff that kills me,” Thompson stated. “I can’t do anything. I am in a boot at this time.”
