When will Golden State's Klay Thompson return to action?

The last time the Klay Thompson played in an NBA game there was no such thing as COVID-19. Let that sink in. The Golden State Warriors sharp shooter finally returned to full team practice on Tuesday afternoon after back-to-back devastating injuries. The first step of the return is complete, but how long will it be until Thompson returns to to suit up for the Warriors?

Thompson trying to be patient in return

Thompson suffered an ACL injury in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, and was dealt another long term injury blow when he tore his achilles in in November of the next year. He hasn’t played a minute of an NBA game since that fateful night in the NBA Finals two and a half years ago.

"It's so exciting," Thompson said. "Just to be running up and down the court and playing basketball, it's truly a blessing and it makes coming to work so easy. The boring stuff's behind me and now it's just getting back in game shape -- I got to stay patient because I can be an overeager person to get out there and play, but I'm just incredibly grateful to be out there. The work the training staff and I have done over the last two years is really paying off, and it's hard to put into words how grateful I am to be playing basketball again."

Kerr and Warriors won't rush return

While the Warriors are hoping to have Thompson back before Christmas, the Splash Brother needs to work his way back to game shape. Head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors have no set timetable for Thompson’s return.

"We don't have a target date," Kerr said. "What we have is a number of weeks ahead of us for certain where we're going to play it out, keep letting him scrimmage as often as possible so that he'll build that endurance. And I would think within a few weeks we'll be able to finally sort of get a target date, but we don't have one right now."

After years of waiting to return to the hardwood, Thompson seems fine with waiting until he is absolutely sure is achilles is back to 100%. A season and a half away from the game can do that to you, I suppose.

Warriors have had best start to NBA season

The Warriors have been doing just fine without Thompson this season. They have a league-best record of 15-2 and have been the surprise of the season after missing the playoffs last year. Thompson has his eyes set on not just returning to the playoffs, but winning it all.

"Oh, yeah," he said. "We're 15-2. That's a great indicator of [championship readiness] and our defense, I think it's top three in the league as well as our offense -- and I'm not even out there yet. Think about that. Really think about that. I'm more motivated than ever as well. I want a championship so bad. More than anything."