Klay Thompson has a concussion after all.
The Golden State Warriors star took a knee to the head from Trevor Ariza in the fourth quarter of his team’s conference-clinching win on Wednesday. Thompson returned to the court after being diagnosed with a contusion and made available to play, only to begin profusely bleeding from his right ear shortly thereafter.
He didn’t appear in Game 5 following the initial incident, and suffered from concussion-like symptoms later that night. However, a report from Thursday confirmed the Warriors’ first diagnosis of a contusion, erasing any doubt of his availability for the NBA Finals.
But it’s back now. Golden State released the following statement on Thompson’s status at Friday morning’s shootaround. Via Ethan Sherwood Strauss:
Following extensive examinations over the past two days – including neurological tests early this morning – Warriors’ guard Klay Thompson has been diagnosed with a concussion. He will not return to the court until he is symptom-free and cleared under the NBA’s concussion protocol guidelines. He will be evaluated and there is no timetable for his return.
The league’s concussion protocol is as layered as it is strict. Once a player is diagnosed with a concussion, he’s not allowed to participate any basketball activities until deemed completely asymptomatic. After symptoms originally subside, the player in question must undergo a series of physical tests and remain unaffected for their duration. Only then will he be allowed to resume play.
It bears mentioning that there’s no official timeline for recovery in the league’s protocol, as each case is handled on an individual basis. Though it’s concerning that the Warriors say Thompson is out indefinitely, they essentially had no other choice. Assuming Thompson doesn’t suffer any setbacks between now and next Thursday, though, it’s certainly possible he’ll be able to play in Game 1.
Either way, this casts even further doubt on Golden State’s handling of this scary situation from the very beginning. We’ll keep you abreast of Thompson’s status as information becomes available.
[H/T Ethan Sherwood Strauss]