Golden State Warriors star wing Klay Thompson’s recovery from a torn right Achilles tendon he suffered during a mid-November workout is on schedule, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Connor Letourneau reports.
The 31-year-old now out of his walking boot and beginning mobility exercises to strengthen his calf muscle.
Thompson, a five-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion, missed the entire 2019-20 season with a torn left ACL that he sustained during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Despite the recovery from his latest major injury being on schedule, he’s still set to miss the entirety of the 2020-21 season as well with Achilles tears typically taking nine to 12 months to heal.
Golden State, in the midst of a dynastic run that saw them head to five straight NBA Finals while revolutionizing how the game is played, finished the 2019-20 season with the worst record in the NBA (15-20) but have played better to start the 2020-21 season (12-12).
Though a .500 record is a far cry from the dominance that they’re used to displaying, team leader Stephen Curry has quietly put together his best season since he won MVP in 2016. Former first overall pick Andrew Wiggins has settled into role, averaging an efficient 17.6 points per game while making his mark on both ends.
That said, when Thompson returns, the Warriors will lean on the sharpshooter to excel in his three-and-D role.
Should Thompson look anywhere close to the player he was pre-injury, the league could be in trouble once again. Universally regarded as one of the most lethal spot-up shooters in NBA history, the California native is in the top-20 in career 3-pointers and has the fifth-highest 3-point percentage among active players.
