San Francisco – substitute in the Golden State Warriors team, Klay Thompson, participated in a full group exercise Tuesday for the first time since he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals and his right Achilles tendon in November 2020.

“It’s very exciting,” Thompson said. “Running up and down the field and playing basketball is really a blessing and makes the work so easy. The boring stuff is behind me and now I’m back in the shape of the game. I have to be patient. Because I can be so eager to get out and play, but I am so grateful to be here. The work I’ve done And the coaching staff over the past two years is really paying off and it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am to go back to playing basketball.”

Thompson, who was allowed to work 5v5 with members of the Warriors support team last week, was in high spirits as his return to court loomed. While the Warriors had hoped for Thompson’s return for Christmas, coach Steve Kerr confirmed on Tuesday that no return date has been set and they want Thompson to continue increasing his strength and stamina after being out of the league for so long.

“We don’t have an appointment,” Kerr said. “What we have is a number of weeks ahead of us for sure where we will play, to continue to allow him to train as much as possible so he develops that stamina. And I think in a few weeks we will finally do that and we can get a date, but we don’t have a date now.”

For his part, Thompson appears content to continue working on rehab and allow his body to tell him, in consultation with the Warriors’ medical staff, when he will be ready to play again. He knows he will be subject to subtle limitations upon his return, but he also knows he will join a team that has exceeded initial expectations and has the best record in the league of 15-2 in Wednesday’s game against Philadelphia 76ers.

Thompson didn’t hesitate when asked if he felt the Warriors could win the title this season.

He said, “Oh yes.” “We are 15-2. This is a great indication of [la preparación para el campeonato] And our defense, I think it’s in the top three in the league, as well as our attack, and I haven’t played yet. think about it. Really think about it. I’m more excited than ever. I want a championship. More than anything.”

Thompson said he was prompted by critics who doubted that the Warriors could return to the top.

“I wanted to be on that list [75]. I wanted some recognition. I didn’t understand it and it’s okay. Do you know how to get recognition? You will win. I just want to win again. I want to win. Earn the fourth ring. Not being able to compete for the past two years, I feel I have a lot of pent-up energy to show, to anyone other than myself, I’m still one of the best.”