Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson is more than two years removed from his last appearance in the NBA. It's a long time coming, but the sharpshooter is inching closer and closer to a return after a knee and Achilles injury.
The Athletic's Warriors insider, Anthony Slater, offered an in-depth update on Thompson's looming return:
I’d expect him to get back into full practice at some point in the next few weeks or a month or so. I think the floating target is still around the mid-December range. November 25th will be the full 12-month mark from the Achilles surgery. He said he wouldn’t come back before a year. I think you’re talking mid-December at the earliest because the Warriors are so careful with him. If he’s not feeling fully there yet by mid-December, I don’t think they mind pushing it into the January range. I think, overall, coming from the organization is a level of encouragement with how he looks right now.




Slater noted that Thompson has looked very solid in individual workouts. From his movement to his shot, the Warriors guard is very close to full strength. The next step for Thompson will be to practice in full with the team. As of now, Golden State is doing just fine without him. The Dubs are off to a 5-1 start, with numerous other players stepping up around Stephen Curry. Jordan Poole and Damion Lee are proving to be integral pieces in the rotation and once Thompson is back in the fold, the Warriors are going to be scary.
Whether they keep playing well or not, Golden State won't rush him back. But it's a good sign to see Thompson getting closer to his old self.