The Golden State Warriors are beginning the NBA Finals with a completely healthy rotation.
Klay Thompson, whose status was in some question after suffering a concussion in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, has been cleared to return to game action.
For as good as Warriors shooting guard may have felt after his second consecutive day of practice, patience was paramount. Thompson, who returned to practice Monday for the first time since suffering a concussion on May 27, remained confident he'd be ready for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
"99.9 percent sure," Thompson said after Tuesday's practice when asked if he'll be able to play. Head coach Steve Kerr said Thompson looked good in the session, and reports were similar after Monday's session.
The optimism was founded. Thompson was evaluated following practice, and he's been cleared to play in Game 1.
After being diagnosed with the concussion, Thompson was held out of activities until he was symptom-free at rest, with a neurological exam matching his baseline score. The league's return-to-participation protocol requires the player to remain symptom-free through increasing levels of exertion, with team doctors then required to discuss their decision with Jeffrey Kutcher, the Director of the NBA's Concussion Program.
Two positive practice sessions couldn't be taken as a sure sign Thompson would be ready to go, as concussions are notoriously difficult to put a time frame on. Toronto Raptors forward Landry Fields, for example, was cleared by initial concussion tests after taking a scary fall on his head on Dec. 19. He would later be diagnosed with a concussion, ultimately missing five games over nearly two weeks of recovery time. Thompson returning in eight days wasn't unexpected, but an early-series absence wouldn't have been, either.
With Thompson be able to go, his presence will help secure the Warriors' status as favorites against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 25-year-old averaged 21.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals this season, numbers that have remained mostly steady - 19.7, 3.7, 2.9, and 0.9, respectively - in the playoffs. He's also knocked down 42.5 percent of his threes and stands as one of the team's better options to guard Kyrie Irving.
The first-time All-Star suffered the concussion in Game 5 of the team's series with the Houston Rockets, when Trevor Ariza got his Keiji Mutoh on. Thompson left briefly with a bloody ear but was cleared to return to the game, later leaving again when he required stitches for what the team called a right ear laceration.
It was later revealed Thompson developed concussion-like symptoms following the game. Thompson's father, former NBA star Mychal Thompson, said Klay felt woozy on the drive home, adding that he felt better after vomiting.
Thompson being cleared to return to the game - he ultimately did not retake the floor - has caused a bit of a stir with the player's union, one the NBA is attempting to downplay as a rare occurrence.
