SAN FRANCISCO – Golden State Warriors forward Klay Thompson acknowledged that 2020 was “the worst year of my life” and hopes to be ready for the start of next season as he continues to recover from a ruptured tendon.
Speaking to the media for the first time since he was injured while training in Los Angeles on November 18, 2020, Thompson spoke at length about the rehabilitation he has endured for the second straight season. Thompson has seen no action in an NBA game since June 13, 2019, after rupturing his left anterior cruciate ligament in game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors.
“It was probably the worst year of my life,” Thomson said during a video conference with reporters ahead of Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz. “It feels good to be back here. I love it when I get back to the Warriors facility. My roots are here. (The pandemic) was not easy for anyone. Everyone had their own little tests in 2020. I was on losing Grandma Mary, who tears my Achilles tendon and I still think about Kobe every day, ”he added.
“There isn’t a day when I don’t think about him. And since I couldn’t have that last conversation with him … it was a tough year, guys. Not just for me, but I’m sure about all of you. I look forward to the future, that’s for sure, ”he said.
When asked specifically about the possibility of playing early next season, Thompson said this was his goal.
“Absolutely,” he said. “It could be a few weeks later, maybe a month later, but it will certainly be aimed at the start of the season.”
Thompson said he no longer wears the protective boot on his leg that he had worn since the surgery to repair the Achilles tendon. He hasn’t been able to start running yet, but he’s used a treadmill underwater.
“Nothing I could have prepared or prevented. I’ve worked hard for 10 months so far and you have to get back to the table. I knew I was doing it right away and it’s a thing of the past, but I’m getting better every day.”
Thompson admitted that the mental aspect of his rehab was more difficult than the physical grind of a second consecutive end-of-season injury.
“It’s much more difficult than any basketball game I’ve ever had to play,” said Thompson. “It’s much harder than any exercise or conditioning exercise. The mental costs aren’t that much fun, you’re always guessing if you’re going to be the same player you once were, so you have those natural thoughts, but you can’t let them get you. prevail over you. I’ll keep busy and keep doing what I love to do. “
Thompson said he is comforted to learn that current and former NBA stars have suffered a similar injury and have still returned to their former form, including his former teammate, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant.
“I think we have a great group. These guys come to work every day, they want to be great players. We still have so much basketball to play.”
Klay addressed the media pre-match 🎙 pic.twitter.com/15TRheuwEX
– Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 14, 2021
“From what I’ve read and heard, you lose maybe 5 percent of your explosiveness, maybe 10 percent,” Thompson said.
Thompson noted that he also spoke with Hall of Famer Grant Hill to get advice on how to manage his rehabilitation from various ankle injuries at the peak of his career.
After missing the entire 2019-2020 season, Thompson said it was difficult to accept Achilles’ injury and realize he would miss another year.
“When it happened, I knew in my mind it was happening, but I wasn’t even that excited because my heart wouldn’t accept it then,” Thompson revealed. “I was expecting a calf load or something, but I was just doing what I always do every summer. I was in the weight room, getting injections, doing two a day, things that fans don’t see. after a year of absence. “
Thompson concluded by saying that the support he received from the Warriors organization was important to him as he tried to shake off the disappointment.
“Fortunately I have great teammates for me,” he said.