The Warriors core is healthy and together in the NBA playoffs again, much to Klay Thompson’s delight.
But there’s one player he can’t wait to see able to join in on the fun.
After Golden State defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of Saturday’s opening round of the NBA playoffs, Chris Alvarez of ABC 7 asked Thompson what it was like to have the dynastic core of himself, Steph Curry and Draymond Green back on the court again after playing just 11 minutes together during the regular season.
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Alvarez also mentioned that the only Dubs player not healthy for the playoff run is 2020 first-round draft pick James Wiseman, prompting a thoughtful response from the Splash Brother. Thompson, Curry and Green have all returned from injuries throughout the season, while Wiseman continues to rehab his surgically-repaired right knee.
“It’s incredible,” Thompson told Alvarez of the core being reunited for playoffs. “I was actually telling James in the locker room, like I can’t wait for him to be a part of it, to be out there with obviously Steph and Draymond, and see Jordan [Poole] do his thing and Andrew [Wiggins] playing incredible.”
The team ruled Wiseman out for the rest of the 2021-22 NBA season last month after he suffered a setback during a rehab stint with the G League Santa Cruz Warriors. The second-year pro had yet to play after tearing his meniscus in April 2021.
If there’s anyone who knows what it’s like to return from a devastating injury -- or two -- in time for playoff glory, it’s Thompson. He made his triumphant comeback on Jan. 9 after missing over two years with first an ACL tear, then a torn Achilles.
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Now that he’s back under the bright lights of the postseason, the 32-year-old is soaking it all in even more than usual after experiencing first hand how quickly injuries can happen for both himself and the other two Golden State leaders.
“It was just something I do not take for granted and we don't, as a team,” Thompson said. “But it was really just a special moment for all of us and a special moment for Dub Nation.”
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With the Warriors core healthy again and young stars like Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga quickly making a name for themselves, it’s possible that Golden State could be back as a playoff-caliber team for the unforeseeable future.
If and when they return to the postseason, perhaps it will be Wiseman’s turn to have a Poole-like playoff debut.