Klay Thompson speaks to reporters after scoring 27 points in the Warriors’ win over the Wizards on Monday night.
Klay Thompson has been itching to play in both games of a back-to-back since returning from a 941-day injury absence. But so far, the Warriors have yet to let him do so.
That should end Tuesday night when the Warriors face the Clippers in Los Angeles in the final game before the 2023 NBA All-Star break.
After Klay Thompson played just under 36 minutes in the Warriors' 135-126 win over the Washington Wizards, coach Steve Kerr said he hoped his star shooting guard would play against the Clippers, but stopped short of confirming it, adding a 'We'll see' to the end of his comments.
Thompson took care of that a few minutes later when asked if he expects to play Tuesday night.
"Yes," Thompson told reporters. "I'm so excited."
Thompson has accomplished quite a bit since returning on Jan. 9, 2022, but this is one of the last items on his to-do list and it comes with an added bonus because of the location, Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center.
"Huge milestone," Thompson said. "Even more fun to do in front of family. I spent so many great moments in that building with my dad and my brothers and my mother. I'm just excited to get down there and play in front of them. It's a dream."
Thompson rebounded with 27 points in the win over the Wizards and the Warriors really would benefit from beating the Clippers so they can head into the All-Star break 30-28 rather than 29-29.
Kerr noted that because of the proximity to Los Angeles, this isn't a grueling back-to-back for the Warriors, who likely will travel to Southern California late Monday night.
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Another benefit afforded Thompson is that after Tuesday's game, the Warriors don't play again until Thursday, Feb. 23, so he will have seven full days to recover physically.
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With Steph Curry rehabbing a lower left leg injury for the foreseeable future, the Warriors need Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Jordan Poole to carry the load. Having Thompson in the lineup against a strong Clippers team makes the task much easier.
