SAN FRANCISCO – Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson has acknowledged that 2020 was “the worst year of my life” and hopes to be ready for the start of the season as he continues recovering from a sprain in the Achilles tendon.
Speaking to the media for the first time since suffering the injury on November 18, 2020 during a workout in Los Angeles, Thompson spoke extensively about the rehabilitation he has endured for the second consecutive season. Thompson hasn’t seen action in an NBA game since June 13, 2019, after breaking 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, guys,” 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’m back at the Warriors’ facilities. My roots are here. (The pandemic) wasn’t easy for anyone. They all had their own little tests. in 2020. I was losing my grandmother Mary, tearing her Achilles tendon and I still think about Kobe every day, ”he added.
“There’s not a day that I don’t think about him. And not being able to have that last conversation with him … it was a tough year, guys. Not just for me, but I’m sure for all of you. I’m looking forward to it. that the future arrives, that is certain “, he maintained.
When asked specifically about the possibility of playing early next season, Thompson said that was his goal.
“Absolutely,” he expressed. “It could be a few weeks later, maybe a month later, but it will definitely be geared towards the start of the season.”
Thompson said he no longer wears the protective boot around his leg that he had been using since surgery to repair the Achilles tendon. He has not been able to start running yet, but has been using an underwater treadmill.
“Nothing for which I could have prepared or prevented. I was working hard 10 months so far and you have to get back on the table. I knew I did 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 rehabilitation has been more difficult than having to work with the physical routine of a second consecutive injury at the end of the season.
“It’s a lot harder than any basketball game I’ve ever had to play,” Thompson said. “It’s a lot harder than any conditioning exercise or practice. The mental cost isn’t much fun, you always guess if you’re going to be the same player you once were, so you have these natural thoughts, but you can’t let them overwhelm you. fastening my belt and continuing to do what I love to do. “
Thompson said he has been comforted to learn that current and former NBA stars have had a similar injury and still returned to their former form, including his former teammate, the Brooklyn Nets star. , Kevin Durant.
“I think we have a great group. These guys come to work every day, they really want to be great players. We still have a lot of basketball left to play.”
Klay headed to the pre-game mid-game pic.twitter.com/15TRheuwEX
– Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 14, 2021
“From what I’ve read and heard, it’s possible that it lost five percent of its explosiveness, maybe 10 percent,” Thompson noted.
Thompson noted that he also spoke with Hall of Fame member Grant Hill for some advice on how to handle his rehabilitation from various ankle injuries at the best time of his career.
After losing the entire 2019-2020 season, Thompson said it was hard to accept the Achilles injury and realize he would miss another year.
“When it happened, in my mind I knew it happened, but I wasn’t even so excited because my heart wouldn’t accept it at the time,” Thompson revealed. “I was hoping to have a calf strain 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. I was so anxious to get back on track after a year away. “
Thompson concluded by assuring that the support he received from the Warriors organization was important to him as he tried to get rid of the disappointment.
“Fortunately, for me, I have great teammates,” he pointed out.