Klay Thompson Reveals Why He Has Not Played Pickup In the Summer

The NBA pre-season has already kicked off and fans are looking forward to their favorite players on the court. Most players prepare during the off-season and in the summer to get their bodies ready for the rigorous season. However, for Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, he has stayed away from pick-up runs for a reason.

Coming off a championship, Thompson was only able to play 32 games during the regular season. The reason for that was after rehabbing from an injury three years back, he suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him for a year and a half. Thankfully, he was able to participate in the latter half of last season going into the playoffs. A top two-way player for the team, he has not completely gotten over the injuries.

Klay Thompson didn’t play pickup this summer. Called it a “mental block” he will eventually get over because of torn Achilles in summer ball. But that’s slowed his preseason ramp up. Called next week a “big week” as he revs back up for regular season.

Here he is explaining it pic.twitter.com/0ZCCmWYFO1
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 1, 2022

The Warriors were in Japan to play a scrimmage, and Thompson was asked about his preparation for the season. He cited the fact that training and medical staff did a great job to prepare him last season and going into the new season. In spite of that, the three-point specialist mentioned that he did not play in summer runs because he felt a "mental block" from the season when he tore his Achilles tendon. He expanded by saying that he will eventually "face it" but until then he does not want to rush back onto the court.

Nonetheless, the four-time Champion said he felt great physically and that he is prepared to get back into playing again. Thompson is averaging nearly 20 points a game for his career on 41% from the three-point line. He hopes to continue that success and prove he is back into the perennial All-Star form he is used to before the injuries. The Warriors open up the season against the Los Angeles Lakers in a star-studded matchup that has great expectations from both sides.