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Klay Thompson Preps Return After Two Missed Seasons

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 25: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point basket against the Dallas Mavericks at ORACLE Arena on March 25, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

On Wednesday night, Klay Thompson was seen practicing, in full uniform, for 15 minutes inside the Chase Center. This was out of the ordinary as Thompson has not been officially cleared for full practice and has been away on injury leave for two seasons now.

Is this a sign of the return of a Golden State Warrior legend? Well, the answer is not one you might want to hear. Thompson is still a ways off from making his return to the court for the Warriors, as it has been nearly a year since Thompson underwent surgery on his right Achilles. But the Warriors are already getting an emotional lift from the thought of adding their beloved shooting star to the mix.

“I think Klay’s imminent return is a huge factor for our team. There’s a sense of anticipation and energy that is directly linked to Klay’s return,” coach Steve Kerr said. “There’s just a very good sense of who we are and what’s ahead, and I think everybody’s excited about it.”

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Thompson has missed back-to-back seasons because of tears in his left ACL then his right Achilles, but he has continued to make “incremental” progress in his recovery. This does not mean that Thompson has been cleared to rejoin team drills, but has been showing off his cutting, dribbling and dunking abilities, in addition to his signature stroke, on his own hoop in practice.

“On the injury front, we’re seeing his progress is … more week to week rather than day to day,” Kerr said. “But we can see him getting stronger and getting more comfortable and getting quicker with his cutting and his movement laterally. It’s all very exciting. We’re just thrilled to at least finally have the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Kerr has said Thompson’s first game back with the Warriors will come at Chase Center, possibly at the behest of those above him.

“Everyone loves Klay Thompson,” Warriors owner Joe Lacob said. “I cannot wait until the day he steps on this floor and plays again. It going to be one of the all-time great days of Warriors basketball.”

Enrique Gomezllanos