For the first time since tearing his right Achilles on Nov. 18, Klay Thompson spoke publicly about the injury and the ongoing rehab process.
The injured Warriors star joined the NBC Sports Bay Area broadcast during the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons and was asked by Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike how he's feeling.
"I'm living. Good to be back in the building," Thompson told Fitzgerald and Azubuike. "I'm so eagerly waiting to play. Just bored at times. Stuff is slow with letting my Achilles try to heal and get to the next stage, which is mobility work. But I'm feeling good. I'm happy to be with my teammates. Unfortunate I'm not playing. It kills me every day, but I plan on playing for a long time and I don't want to have any mishaps from this rehab."
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SIGN UP HERE After rehabbing and recovering from a torn left ACL that he sustained in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson was set to return to the Warriors lineup this season. But on the day Golden State drafted James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick, the shooting guard tore his Achilles during a pick-up game at a gym in Southern California.
The news was devastating for Thompson, the Warriors and Dub Nation. The injury meant the five-time NBA All-Star would miss a second consecutive season.
Thompson's injury forced the Warriors to acquire Kelly Oubre Jr. from the Oklahoma City Thunder for a protected 2021 first-round draft pick and absorb him into the Traded Player Exception they received when they traded Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies.
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The public didn't hear from Thompson until Dec. 22 when he broke his silence on the injury by posting a long message on Instagram.
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Since then, the only updates on Thompson's status have come from his father, Mychal, or from Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Thompson also has been joining his teammates on the sideline during home games at Chase Center, but hadn't spoken to the media.
Now, for the first time, Thompson has provided an update on his status. He's on the road to recovery and itching to get back on the court with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and the rest of the Warriors.