SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 25: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Klay Thompson #11 after he made a three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center on January 25, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson has not been able to play in any NBA games since 2019 because he suffered from two serious leg injuries. After a long recovery, he is expected to be back on the court soon, maybe even this upcoming weekend.
The guard seems well-prepared for his return, based on a video of him making twenty-four straight three-pointers that went viral on social media. It does not only prove that Thompson is ready to get back into the NBA, but it also reminded everyone that he is one of the best shooters in the league.
With Klay Thompson’s return on the horizon, how will the Golden State Warriors be affected by the change?
Due to their shooting abilities, Thompson and teammate Stephen Curry earned themselves the nickname “the Splash Brothers” very early on in their careers. But with Thompson’s long absence, the video was a welcomed reminder of what he is capable of, and what he will be bringing back with his return.
Thompson has always been an impressive catch-and-shoot player with strong off-ball movement, but he is still recovering from two leg injuries, and it will be interesting to see how well he will perform in high-speed game situations.
This question arises especially in terms of his defensive performance. Thompson was a well-known wing defender before his injuries and has always been responsible for guarding young, fast-paced players such as Devin Booker or Donovan Mitchell. Now, everyone is curious to see how Thompson will do upon his return, since his injuries might affect how quick he is on his feet.
Golden State</a> Warriors star Klay Thompson has not been able to play in any NBA games since 2019 because he suffered from two serious leg injuries. After a long recovery, he is expected to be back on the court soon, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/06/klay-thompson-golden-state-warriors/"https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32987098/sources-optimism-golden-state-warriors-klay-thompson-make-return-sunday-vs-cleveland-cavaliers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maybe even this upcoming weekend.</a></p>
<p>The guard seems well-prepared for his return, based on a video of him making twenty-four straight three-pointers that went viral on social media. It does not only prove that Thompson is ready to get back into the NBA, but it also reminded everyone that he is one of the best shooters in the league.</p>
<h2>With Klay Thompson’s return on the horizon, how will the Golden State Warriors be affected by the change?</h2>
<p>Due to their shooting abilities, Thompson and teammate Stephen Curry earned themselves the nickname “the Splash Brothers” very early on in their careers. But with Thompson’s long absence, the video was a welcomed reminder of what he is capable of, and what he will be bringing back with his return.</p>
<p>Thompson has always been an impressive catch-and-shoot player with strong off-ball movement, but he is still recovering from two leg injuries, and it will be interesting to see how well he will perform in high-speed game situations.</p>
<p>This question arises especially in terms of his defensive performance. Thompson was a well-known wing defender before his injuries and has always been responsible for guarding young, fast-paced players such as Devin Booker or Donovan Mitchell. Now, everyone is curious to see how Thompson will do upon his return, since his injuries might affect how quick he is on his feet.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/06/klay-thompson-golden-state-warriors/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> How GSW has fared without Klay </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-440244" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/06/klay-thompson-golden-state-warriors/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1318329799.jpeg" alt="Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1318329799.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1318329799-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Jordan Poole #3 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after Wiggins made a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on May 11, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>How the Golden State Warriors have fared without Klay Thompson</h2>
<p>Thompson’s absence has not seemed to be a big problem this season, though. The Golden State Warriors are currently the number one seed in the West, even without the second Splash Brother.</p>
<p>Especially defensively, the team has improved a lot despite Thompson’s inability to play. While Draymond Green is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, Andrew Wiggins stepped in and took over as the Warriors’ prime wing defender, filling the position that was vacated by Thompson.</p>
<p>For most of the season, the starting lineup has been Curry, Green, Wiggins, Jordan Pool,e and Kevon Looney. Curry, Wiggins, and Poole all average double-digit scoring numbers, while Curry leads the team with an average of 27.2 points per game.</p>
<p>Meanwhile Green, who leads the team in both rebounds (7.9) and in assists (7.7), has been setting up many of his teammates’ shots. Poole, in particular, has improved his shooting by a large margin, as he took over Thompson’s offensive position.</p>
<p>In light of this, it is safe to say that the team does not have to rely on Klay Thompson anymore, but his return will still give the Warriors some extra strength, especially offensively, as they pursue another championship.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/06/klay-thompson-golden-state-warriors/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> How Klay's return affects GSW </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-358849" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/06/klay-thompson-golden-state-warriors/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1155793817.jpeg" alt="Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155793817.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155793817-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the first half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>What Klay Thompson’s return means for the Golden State Warriors</h2>
<p>Since 2011, Klay Thompson won three NBA championships with the Warriors and is a five-time All-Star. Nevertheless, he was left off the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, which will probably give him some additional motivation and bite upon his return to the league.</p>
<p>In his last active season in 2018-19, Thompson averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. These are very similar numbers to his career average, showing his overall level of consistency.</p>
<p>With Curry, Green, and Thompson on the court together, the Warriors outscored other teams by boatloads in the past. While they might not go back to quite the same level, the reunion will still pose a challenge for any and all challengers.</p>
<p>Knowing this, Warriors’ coach<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/06/klay-thompson-golden-state-warriors/"https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/the-warriors-are-currently-27-7-in-34-games-and-one-of-the-best-teams-in-the-entire-nba"> Steve Kerr already told reporters</a> that he will include Thompson in the starting lineup as soon as he returns, instead of playing him off the bench, as is the custom for players returning from injuries.</p>
<p>This will affect other players’ playing times, but it will also give the team some additional power off the bench. Jordan Poole will most probably have to give up his starting spot.</p>
<p>No matter how the long-awaited return will go, however, fans and teammates will be glad to welcome a healthy Klay Thompson back on the court.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Curry makes NBA history, sets record as three-point champion" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/stephen-curry-nba-history-three-point/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/06/klay-thompson-golden-state-warriors/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/stephen-curry-nba-history-three-point/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Curry makes NBA history, sets record as three-point champion </a> </div>
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