Klay Thompson's return to the Golden State Warriors is very imminent, but the All-Star shooting guard has liked what he's seen from his teammates so far this season.
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The Warriors currently sit atop the Western Conference and have the NBA's best record at 16-2. Thompson was asked a couple of days ago whether he believes the squad has enough to make a deep playoff run like some of the previous Warriors teams he's played on, and Thompson replied in the affirmative.
"Oh, yeah. We're 15-2. It's a great indicator. Our defence is top 3 in the league along with our offence. And I'm not even out there yet," he said. "Think about that. Really think about that."
Does Klay Thompson think the Warriors can win the title: "Oh, yeah. We're 15-2. It's a great indicator. Our defense is top 3 in the league along with our offense. And I'm not even out there yet. Think about that. Really think about that."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 23, 2021
Full soundbite pic.twitter.com/S4t3qf0v16
Golden State is currently ranked first in defensive rating in the league and has the highest point differential per game average this season with 13.5.
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Thompson has not played a competitive NBA game since Game 6 of the NBA Finals when he tore his left ACL. He didn't play at all during the COVID-19 interrupted 2019-20 season, but then ruptured his Achilles tendon in November of 2020. On Tuesday he participated in his first full practice for the Warriors since then.
"I have my wholehearted belief in these guys. I'm just really proud of the way they played."@Oracle || Warriors Talk pic.twitter.com/rP5YSdS4xO
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 23, 2021
"It's so exciting," Thompson said. "Just to be running up and down the court and playing basketball, it's truly a blessing and it makes coming to work so easy. The boring stuff's behind me, and now it's just getting back in game shape -- I got to stay patient because I can be an overeager person to get out there and play, but I'm just incredibly grateful to be out there."
The Warriors have a one-game lead over the scorching Suns in the Western Conference and will play five of their next 10 games on the road. They have a tough stretch of games, hosting the Blazers following Thanksgiving, away to the Clippers, and then a home/away series against the Phoenix.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Nov. 25 | vs. 76ers | Won 116-96 | ESPN |
| Nov. 27 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10:00 pm | - |
| Nov. 29 | at LA Clippers | 3:30 pm | - |
| Nov. 31 | at Suns | 10:00 pm | TNT |
| Dec. 4 | vs. Suns | 10:00 p.m. | - |
| Dec. 5 | vs. Spurs | 8:30 p.m. | - |
| Dec. 7 | vs. Magic | 10:00 p.m. | |
| Dec. 9 | vs. Trail Blazers | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 12 | @ 76ers | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Dec. 14 | @ Pacers | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Dec. 15 | @ Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
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