Thompson has his first full practice

SAN FRANCISCO – The swingman of the Golden State Warriors, Klay thompson, participated in a full team practice Tuesday for the first time since he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals and his right Achilles tendon in November 2020.

“It’s very exciting,” Thompson said. “Running up and down the court and playing basketball is really a blessing and makes getting to work very easy. Boring things are behind me and now I’m just getting back to the form of the game. I have to be patient. because I may be overly eager to get out there and play but I am incredibly grateful to be here. The work that the training staff and I have done over the past two years is really paying off and it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am to go back to playing basketball. “

Thompson, who was cleared to work 5v5 with members of the Warriors support staff last week, has been in high spirits as his return to the court gets closer. While the Warriors have been hopeful that Thompson can return this Christmas, coach Steve Kerr reiterated Tuesday that no return date has been set and they want Thompson to continue to increase his strength and endurance after being out of the league. court for so long.

“We don’t have a date,” Kerr said. “What we have is a number of weeks ahead of us with certainty where we are going to play, to keep letting him practice as often as possible so that he develops that stamina. And I think in a few weeks we will finally do it and we can get a date, but we don’t have one at the moment. “

For his part, Thompson seems content to continue working in rehab and let his body tell him, in consultation with the Warriors’ medical staff, when he will be ready to play again. He knows he will be on a minute restriction when he returns, but he also understands that he will join a team that has exceeded initial expectations and has the league’s best record of 15-2 in Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Thompson didn’t hesitate when asked if he felt the Warriors could win a title this season.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “We’re 15-2. That’s a great indicator of [la preparación para el campeonato] and our defense, I think it’s in the top three in the league, as well as our offense, and I’m not even out there yet. Think about it. Really think about it. I am more motivated than ever. I want a championship. More than anything “.

Thompson said he has been motivated by critics who doubt he and the Warriors can return to the top.

“I wanted to be on that Top list [75]. I wanted some recognition. I didn’t get it and it’s fine. Do you know how you get recognition? You are going to win. I just want to go win again. I want to win. Earn a fourth ring. Not being able to compete for the last two years, I feel like I have a lot of pent-up energy to prove it, to no one else but myself, I’m still one of the best. “