Latest Updates on Klay Thompson’s Status for NBA Finals

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors reportedly suffered a concussion in the team’s final Western Conference Finals game against the Houston Rockets, but recent reports point to Thompson feeling much better since then.

Per Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports, the Warriors shooting guard is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Last Wednesday, the Warriors faced the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, winning the game by a score of 104-90.

However, it was at the 9:30 mark in the fourth quarter that Thompson initiated a pump fake on Rockets small forward, Trevor Ariza, causing Ariza to jump into the air. It was during that time that Ariza’s knee accidentally collided with Thompson’s head, forcing Thompson to head back to the locker room and undergo evaluation for a concussion.

Thompson eventually returned to the contest with the doctors ruling that there were no signs of mild traumatic brain injury. He subsequently went back to the locker room to receive stitches for a right ear laceration, returning later before the conclusion of the game.

Despite being cleared initially, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr chose not to reinsert Thompson into the game.

"“I don’t know what happened with the testing or whatever with the doctors, because I was in the middle of the game,” Kerr said.At that point, it was let’s just stay with what we have. Festus was rolling, so we didn’t put Bogues back in. Andre, Harrison… we just had a group out there that wasn’t even a group that had played together a whole lot, but they were doing so well.If he had been cleared, I probably wouldn’t have put Klay back in anyway.”"

After the game, it was reported by ESPN via Thompson’s father, Los Angeles Lakers radio color commentator Mychal Thompson, that Thompson had vomitted and was suffering from other concussion-like symptoms. Doctors officially diagnosed Thompson with a concussion on Friday, ruling him out of the Finals until further examination.

Since then, signs have been looking good, and it seems the sharpshooter will return in time for Thursday’s Game 1. Following Stephen Curry‘s appearance at a San Francisco Giants game, Thompson was spotted out at an Oakland Athletics game on Sunday, which only helps Thompson’s case of being available for the Finals.

When asked about an update on Thompson’s status, Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams went on record during an interview on 95.7 The Game to say he thinks Thompson will be ready by the time the Cavs come to town.

"“I think Klay will be ready,” said Adams. “He looks good now. He looks bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and so on, but he has to go through the protocol, and that will be soon finished. I think he’ll be there for us when the series starts, and we’ll go from there.”"

Kerr also expects Thompson to be ready by the start of the series, telling Yahoo Sports that “all is going well” with Thompson’s evaluations. The team will practice on Monday, during which Thompson’s status for the Finals will be officially made public.

Thompson is currently the second highest scorer for the Dubs in the postseason, tallying 19.7 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field, 42.5 percent from behind the arc. He’s also averaging 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

He’ll certainly be needed to help spread the floor offensively, as well as lockdown defensively against the likes of Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith — both of whom have been central to the Cavs success thus far in the Playoffs. Along with Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, he’ll also likely take a stab at guarding LeBron James.

Certainly a dizzying feat in itself, but let’s not get too far a-head.

Latest update: Klay Thompson was taking jumpers post practice, hasn’t had concussion symptoms since Wednesday and expects to be cleared.

Next: Warriors v. Cavs Preview