MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 27: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Target Center on November 27, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Warriors defeated the Timberwolves 137-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson could soon play his first back-to-back since his ACL sprain in 2019.
When will Thompson be cleared? He says “hopefully soon,” depending on when the training staff gives clearance. But but he’s been pushing for it while heeding team trainers’ advice.
“It’s really exciting,” Thompson said. “I’m happy that’s on the horizon. It’s not fun having to watch, and for as long as I did watch the team compete. I cherish every minute out there. So I’m excited for when the time does come. And I’m grateful to be healthy playing December basketball.”
Thompson has been eager to get back to his complete normal routine since he returned last January from back-to-back ACL and Achilles tears that had him sidelined for 2-1/2 years. But the team’s training staff has been cautious to let him go full throttle.
Director sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini told coach Steve Kerr that there is no formula or science to determine when Thompson will be ready to play back-to-backs, but Thompson came out unscathed after a simulated game the day after the Warriors’ game against the Chicago Bulls as a test run to see how his body would respond.
“They just monitor my minutes, my body composition, my training,” Thompson said. “They know more about myself than I do, so I completely trust them.”
The Warriors have 10 more back-to-backs this season, including five on the road — one is in New York to play the Knicks and Nets — and one split home and away. Back-to-backs on the road can be particularly grueling.
Thompson sat out for most of the preseason this year and was on a minutes restriction to start the regular season, averaging 22 minutes through their first four games before the coaching staff bumped his minutes up to an average 32 per game.
“At some point Klay will probably play back-to-backs,” Kerr said. “But at this point we don’t know exactly when.”
Originally published at Shayna Rubin