Klay Thompson Hits 18 Straight Shots In First Scrimmage: "There Was No Holding Him Back!"

 

After missing two full seasons recovering from serious injuries, it appears that Klay Thompson is none the worse for wear, and he is cleared to go 100% in final preparations for his NBA return with the Golden State Warriors in December. 

Thompson went 18-for-18 to begin his first scrimmage with the Warriors' G League team in Santa Cruz. 

It's so good to see @KlayThompson back on a basketball court.@GLeagueWarriors @nbagleague @warriors pic.twitter.com/nRpXDaSXij

— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2021

And Thompson is simply itching to get back to the highest level. “I hate to use the phrase ‘can’t wait,’ because I love to be present in my life,” Thompson told Jack Maloney of CBS Sports. “But I cannot wait. I really, really enjoy being a Warrior.” 

All restrictions seem to be off for the former All-Star. According to Santa Cruz head coach Seth Cooper, "He's cleared for full go, so everything we did was full 100 percent he was going. There was no holding him back. There was no pulling back, it was just letting him go and letting him experience playing all out. He did that, and he looked really good doing it... I think he made his first 18 shots."

Klay hasn't played since rupturing his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, as the Warriors lost the title to the Toronto Raptors. Thompson then tore his Achilles in a rehab workout in November of 2020. 

Now, it appears he's ready to return, with a vengeance. His exact return date is unclear, but it's certain to be by Christmas. 

Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports