NBA Rumors: Klay Thompson Return Game Date Looking More Certain

 

Here's what we do know about Klay Thompson's return for the Golden State Warriors: 

• He's been recalled from the G League this week after a "successful rehab"
• The Warriors want him to return in a home game
• They "do not plan" for him to return during home games on Dec. 20 vs. Sacramento Kings and Dec. 23 vs. Memphis Grizzlies 
• Christmas Day Game is on the road in Phoenix, so that game is out

All of that being said, it's appearing more and more that the Tue. Dec. 28 home game vs. the Denver Nuggets is the most likely return date. 

The Warriors do not plan for Klay Thompson to debut on either Dec. 20 or Dec. 23 home games, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. Thompson won't come back on Christmas. So earliest possible return would be Dec. 28 -- with Thompson ramping up conditioning over next couple weeks.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 16, 2021

And if he can't make it in time for that one, as he continues to ramp up his conditioning, the Warriors go on the road for two games after that, so the next possible date would be January 3, a home date vs. the Miami Heat.

Things have been in high gear for Klay for a few weeks now, most recently an incredible performance in his first scrimmage with the Warriors' Santa Cruz G League team. 

Now, we are ever so close to seeing a reunion with Steph Curry, and the pairing of The Splash Brothers, whose original head coach Mark Jackson made a stunning prediction about way back in 2013. 

Thompson is coming back from both a torn ACL suffered in the Warriors' 2019 Finals defeat to the Toronto Raptors, and then a subsequent Achilles tear a year later. He hasn't played since June, 2019. 

Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports