Klay Thompson is making “good progress” to return in the new NBA season while James Wiseman will miss pre-season according to the Golden State Warriors.
The franchise provided an injury update on the pair on Monday, ahead of the new season due to commence on October 19.
Five-time NBA All-Star Thompson has missed the past two seasons due to a torn left anterior cruciate ligament and a torn right Achilles.
Wiseman, who went pick two in last year’s NBA Draft, underwent surgery on a meniscus tear in April.
“Thompson… has made good progress during his rehabilitation over the course of the summer and is on pace to return for the 2021-22 season,” the Warriors update said.
“The exact time for his return this season will be based on his continued progress.
“Thompson, who underwent surgery on his right Achilles on November 25, 2020, is expected to participate in various controlled drills during training camp. His return to full practices will be determined at a later date.”
The Warriors did not put a return date on Wiseman either, but confirmed he would begin full jumping six months after surgery, being October 15, only four days before the new season starts.
Wiseman will join the team in their training camp, but the timeframe means he has been effectively ruled out of playing in pre-season.
“The exact time for his return this season will be based on his continued progress,” the update said. “He was expected—and is still expected—to begin full jumping six (6) months from the date of surgery, which would be October 15.
“Wiseman is expected to participate in individual shooting and other individual on-court activities during training camp. His return to full practices will be determined at a later date (after October 15).”
The Warriors are scheduled to start the 2021-22 NBA season against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 19.
Golden State last season lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference play-in tournament, failing to reach the playoffs for the second straight campaign in Thompson’s absence.
The Warriors stormed back into playoffs contention with a strong second half in 2020-21, finishing 39-33, after ending the 2019-20 season last with a 15-50 record.