Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11) enjoys making a 3-pointer against the Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson hasn’t played in both nights of a back-to-back since he returned midway through last season after suffering two major leg injuries.
But that soon could change.
Steve Kerr said pregame that he anticipates the five-time All-Star will be cleared at some point this season to play two nights in a row.
It’s a positive development for Thompson, who’s been eager to return to form after injuries shelved him for 2 1/2 years. Kerr said he’s been talking to team director sports medicine and performance Dr. Rick Celebrini, who said there’s not a “science” or perfect “formula” to determine when Thompson will be ready to play in consecutive games with such a short turnaround.
Thompson went through a court workout before Saturday’s game against the Rockets which replicated the workload he would have in a game to see how his body responds.
“It’s just precautionary more than anything,” Kerr said. “And so as we go during the season there probably will come a time where Klay does play some back-to-backs.”
Jordan Poole rpelaced Thompson in the starting lineup, joining the rest of the usual suspects on the court for the beginning of the game. That’s also a welcoming sign since other starters have sat in two of the team’s five back-to-backs this season.
Kerr said travel can have a “big part” in determining a player’s availability, especially since guys are more likely to experience fatigue during road trips. Having both games of this back-to-back at Chase Center, Kerr said, is a “big deal” for the rest of the crew.
“Home back-to-backs aren’t as big of a deal for us,” the Warriors coach said, “so everybody else, other than Klay, is ready to go.”
The Warriors have 10 more back-to-backs left this season.
Originally published at Madeline Kenney