Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson missed Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a hamstring injury he sustained at the end of Game 2. While there was a possibility that he would play Wednesday, the Dubs eventually decided to hold him out.
Now, head coach Steve Kerr says that he is hopeful Thompson will return for Game 4 of the series.
"Hopefully he'll be out there Friday."
– Steve Kerr gives an update on Klay Thompson#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/9lrikoYn4q
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2019
Without Thompson, the game was a disaster for the Warriors. Already missing one All-Star in Kevin Durant, they couldn't overcome a balanced and deep Toronto Raptors team.
Thompson was missed on both ends. Not including Stephen Curry, the Warriors shot 6-of-20 from the 3-point line, a miserable 30 percent shooting clip. The Raptors were content to let Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green shoot from beyond the perimeter, retaining their defensive focus on Curry throughout the whole game.
Even with the defensive attention, Curry scored 47 points, but it wasn't enough to lift the depleted Warriors to a victory.
Defensively, Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry — two players who Thompson frequently guards — torched the Warriors. They combined to score 53 points on 52 percent shooting and often got whatever shot they wanted on the offensive end.
Without Thompson or Durant, the Warriors' offense becomes fairly one dimensional. If neither can return for Game 4, the Dubs could be in trouble. Another loss puts them in a deadly 3-1 hole, and winning three straight games against the Raptors is a daunting task.
Here's to hoping for a full recovery for Thompson and Durant so we can see a matchup between both teams at full strength.
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