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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says Klay Thompson’s progress on his return from long-term injury is “right on schedule” after top scoring in Tuesday’s win over the Detroit Pistons.
Thompson, who endured a 941-day layoff due to Achilles and ACL injuries before returning earlier this month, scored 17 points in the first half before finishing with 21 in his fourth game back.
The 31-year-old three-time NBA champion impressed alongside Stephen Curry (18 points and eight assists) in a sizzling 66-38 first-half in Tuesday’s 102-86 win, with Kerr describing it as their “best stretch together” since his return.
“That was probably he best stretch that Steph and Klay have played together,” Kerr told reporters. “It was a nice groove in front of our home fans.”
Kerr added: “It’s good to see him get hot and hear the crowd behind him. He got into a little rhythm. We had a great first half, 20 assists, the ball was moving, Klay was a big part of that.”
The former Chicago Bulls guard said that he felt there were signs that Thompson was physically getting close to his best, having played on managed minutes since his return.
“I just think it’s rhythm and legs,” he said. “When you’ve been out for a while, the legs are the toughest thing to recover in terms of the force going into the shot and feeling powerful and strong like you do when you’re in great shape.
“He’s getting his legs underneath him. He’s looking better and better. His conditioning has improved. He’s right on schedule.”
Kerr also brushed aside any concerns about Curry, who sat out the last quarter and appeared inhibited by the hand injury which kept him out of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“I don’t even know. I saw him shaking his hand,” Kerr said. “I haven’t heard anything about it so I assume he’s fine.
“We had the lead so we didn’t need to put him back in.”
