Klay Thompson a late scratch for Warriors’ game vs. Utah Jazz

byDuc Manh •February 01, 2022

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - January 21:Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11) follows through on a 3-point shot while warming up before a NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) — (Anda Chu/Bay Space Information Group)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 21:Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (11) follows by on a 3-point shot whereas warming up earlier than a NBA recreation towards the Houston Rockets at Chase Heart in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. (Anda Chu/Bay Space Information Group)

SAN FRANCISCO — Hours earlier than tipoff Sunday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr realized that Klay Thompson wouldn’t be accessible towards the Utah Jazz, elevating concern over his restoration from two leg accidents and leaving Golden State shorthanded once more towards one among its high foes within the Western Convention.

Thompson felt a “tweak” within the left knee he had surgically repaired roughly 18 months in the past, Kerr mentioned, prompting Dr. Rick Celebrini to ship the information that Thompson would should be a late scratch Sunday night time.

Regardless of Thompson and Draymond Inexperienced (decrease again) watching from the bench in avenue garments, the undermanned Warriors dispatched the Jazz, 94-92, for the second time in a month’s span. If both participant isn’t prepared by the point they meet for a 3rd time — in Salt Lake Metropolis about 2 ½ weeks from now – the Warriors have trigger for concern.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II (0) reaches for a unfastened ball after Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson (00) falls to the bottom within the third quarter of their NBA recreation at Chase Heart in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Utah Jazz 94-92. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

For now, the Warriors downplayed the scenario – Kerr mentioned it was a matter of warning and “not too regarding” – however the severity of the setback stays unknown, coming after two consecutive days off for the taking pictures guard who's making his means again from tears to his anterior cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon that induced him to overlook the final two seasons.

Thompson, who underwent surgical procedure on the left knee in July 2019, is averaging 14.7 factors in 21.4 minutes since he returned six video games in the past. He noticed his most time but Thursday in his final outing however didn’t make any of his seven 3-point makes an attempt in simply over 23 minutes. He sat the subsequent night time as a part of the Warriors’ plan to carry him out of back-to-back video games, and Golden State was off Saturday.

Thompson arrived at Chase Heart Sunday morning planning to play and took part in stroll throughs. However shortly after that, Celebrini knowledgeable Kerr that Thompson shouldn’t play that night time.

“I didn’t understand that something was improper,” Kerr mentioned. “Rick mentioned that it might be sensible to carry him out.”

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) drives towards Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert (27) within the third quarter of their NBA recreation at Chase Heart in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Utah Jazz 94-92. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

With the late scratch, the Warriors used an array of supporting gamers to buoy one other chilly taking pictures night time by Stephen Curry (5-of-20 general, 1-of-13 from 3) and bury the Jazz, who had been enjoying with out main scorer Donovan Mitchell.

When the 2 groups met on the finish of December, the Jazz had been at full power, however the Warriors received 20-point performances from Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Otto Porter Jr. to beat the absences of Inexperienced, in COVID protocols, and Thompson, who was nonetheless about two weeks from his return to the court docket.

The Warriors used an analogous method Sunday: they completed with six gamers in double figures and had 5 by halfway by the third quarter, led by Jordan Poole, who completed with a team-high 20 factors, to go together with Wiggins (14), Curry (13), Porter (13), Damion Lee (12) and Kevon Looney (10).

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 23: Golden State Warriors’ Damion Lee (1) shoots and makes a 3-point basket towards the Utah Jazz within the fourth quarter of their NBA recreation at Chase Heart in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Utah Jazz 94-92. Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Gary Payton II prolonged the Warriors’ benefit to its widest margin of the night time, 79-66, with consecutive steal-and-scores towards the top of the third quarter. However Utah answered instantly by beginning an 18-4 run on the following possession that erased Golden State’s lead totally by the 9:15 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Warriors managed solely 11 factors whereas lacking on their closing 10 makes an attempt from distance and taking pictures 26.3% within the closing quarter, however had been in a position to dangle on by limiting Utah to 17 factors within the closing quarter. Up by 2 with a minute to play, Porter blocked Mike Conley Jr. on the rim, and after a desperation heave from Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah’s putback try rolled off the rim to seal the win.