Warriors Say Thompson Is Cleared To Play In NBA Finals
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - The Golden State Warriors say starting guard Klay Thompson will return to the starting lineup for Thursday's opener of the NBA Finals after clearing the National Basketball Association's concussion protocol.
Thompson was kneed in the head in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets last Wednesday night.
Thompson suffered a concussion after getting kneed in the head by Houston's Trevor Ariza in Golden State's Western Conference finals clinching win Wednesday night. Team doctors initially cleared Thompson to return to the game. He ended up not playing, and the team said he started developing symptoms after the game.
Thompson's father, former NBA player Mychal Thompson, had to drive his son home because he was feeling ill — including vomiting a couple of times. He also needed stitches on his right ear after the hit from Houston's caused blood to spill down the side of his head.
"It looked much worse than it was," Thompson said. "Honestly, I only had one tough night, and that was the night of the game. I just had a headache until I went to sleep. But I woke up the next morning feeling all right. I got a good breakfast and I felt great, honestly. It was just that night of the game that my head was just a little shook."
Thompson said he passed initial concussion tests and felt fine, including during his interview on the ESPN broadcast. He said doctors told him it was common for symptoms to show up later after another test confirmed the concussion.
"It might have been because of my adrenaline. I was so excited because we played so well," he said. "Honestly, I felt great through the celebration and everything. And then a couple hours after the game I just had a little headache and felt a little woozy."
He said Ariza told him after the game the hit wasn't intentionally — and Thompson didn't think it was, either. He said he has watched the play a few times.
Thompson returned to practice Monday, and said he expected to be back on the court for the Finals.
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