Klay Thompson on concussion clearance: 'Knew that Game 1 was never in jeopardy'

11 years ago

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After a brief scare, the Golden State Warriors will enter the NBA Finals on Thursday with a fully healthy roster. Thank the eight-day layoff.

All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson was cleared for Game 1 on Tuesday, with two days of practice failing to produce any lingering concussion symptoms. Thompson suffered a concussion in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, an injury that initially went undiagnosed, as symptoms were late to manifest.

While the late on-set of symptoms was worrisome, Thompson remained steadfast throughout the process, believing he'd be in uniform when the finals tipped off.

To hear Thompson tell it Wednesday, his confidence was simply rooted in his desire to play:

I was confident I was going to play. Honestly, I felt real good the second day. I had some nagging headaches that night but when I got some good sleep and some good rest, I was alright. I really knew that Game 1 was never in jeopardy.

But at the same time, it's not cool to see your name in headlines saying 'is he unsure' just because I wanna play so bad. It's the NBA Finals. There's something wrong with you if you don't wanna get out there and work everything to get back on the court. For me, it was almost like not playing wasn't an option. I can't wait. I knew I was gonna be alright though.

The desire to play is understandable, but concussions don't really bend to one's will like that. Their timelines can be difficult to predict, and while eight days off seemed like a long break, it wouldn't have been all that surprising to see Thompson sidelined early in the series.

But he's playing, and that's terrific news for the Warriors and for fans in general, save for those rooting for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The closer to full health both teams get, the better the series could be.

While Thompson was reticent about game plan specifics - he said the Warriors want to make things difficult for LeBron James, and even if Kyrie Irving gets switched on to him, he'll play a similar offensive game to what he always plays - he did admit to wanting to get the first game out of the way.

"I'm really anxious," Thompson said. "A little nervous because this is something you've been looking forward to your whole life."

At the very least, he'll be able to get those nerves settled on the court rather than on the injured list for Game 1.