Though it’s been a foregone conclusion for days, confirmation no doubt heartens thousands of concerned Golden State Warriors’ fans across the country – and makes Cleveland Cavaliers’ faithful increasingly anxious.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Klay Thompson has been cleared to play in Thursday’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Klay Thompson, I'm told, has just been cleared to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 2, 2015
Golden State’s All-Star suffered a concussion in last Wednesday’s series-clinching win over the Houston Rockets after taking a knee to the head from Trevor Ariza. Though initially assessed with a contusion by team medical personnel, Thompson experienced concussion-like symptoms immediately after the game and in the following days that led to his injury being upgraded.
Just a day after his starting shooting guard finally received the proper diagnosis, Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr said he was optimistic Thompson would play in Game 1. The 25-year-old practiced in full on Monday and Tuesday, afterwards indicating that he fully expected to pass the league’s concussion protocol.
Thompson will play in Game 1, but will his normal influence be limited by forced time away from the court? We’ll find out soon enough.
The Warriors and Cavaliers tip-off at 9:00 EST on Thursday.
[Via Marc Stein]
