SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors can’t say for sure whether or not Klay Thompson can be able to go when the season begins later this month.
Coach Steve Kerr was optimistic after observe Wednesday that Thompson might be prepared for the Warriors’ regular-season opener Oct. 18 in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“We’re 13 days away from the beginning, so my guess is he’ll be prepared, nevertheless it’s not one thing we are able to simply robotically say sure or no,” Kerr mentioned.
Thompson has been “getting higher” day by day because the Warriors regularly add extra to his workload. He participated in a managed, dwell portion of observe Wednesday, nevertheless it’s unlikely he’ll play within the workforce’s full scrimmage Thursday.
Thompson didn’t play within the first two preseason video games — and appears more likely to miss a 3rd recreation Sunday — out of an abundance of warning as he’s present process a slower ramp-up to the season than his teammates due to his harm historical past. It wasn’t till after coaching camp started Sept. 24 did the workers notice he was going to want extra time to arrange for dwell motion.
After lacking the primary recreation, Thompson admitted in Japan that he hadn’t performed in any pick-up throughout the offseason as he was scuffling with a “psychological block” that stemmed from the 2020 offseason when he tore his Achilles throughout a pick-up recreation. Thompson assured reporters that he “feels nice” however was trusting the coaching workers’s suggestions.
“I’m excited for this season,” Thompson mentioned, “prefer it’s arduous to even put into phrases how excited I'm.”
Kerr mentioned he would like Thompson to get not less than one exhibition recreation beneath his belt earlier than the common season begins. After Sunday, the Warriors have two further preseason video games: Oct. 11 in opposition to the Path Blazers and Oct. 14 in opposition to the Nuggets.
“We’re taking a look at subsequent week, one other 9 days earlier than the common season begins,” Kerr mentioned. “That’s what we’re taking a look at, attempting to have him prepared by opening evening — nothing has been decided.”
The Warriors are additionally taking part in it protected with 38-year-old Andre Iguodala, who made a last-minute choice to rejoin the workforce for one remaining season the day earlier than camp opened.
Iguodala hasn’t participated in a full observe or taken contact but. It seems he received’t play in any preseason video games.
Iguodala can nonetheless be a key contributor off the bench for the Warriors if he stays well being. Final season, Iguodala helped jumpstart the Warriors’ scorching begin, taking part in practically 21 minutes per recreation for the primary month of the season. However that heavy workload took a toll on Iguodala, who handled numerous accidents because the season went on.
“He wasn’t going to play after which he modified his thoughts,” Kerr mentioned. “We’re going to take our time.”
Wholesome Baldwin impresses
Patrick Baldwin Jr. may’ve regarded like lower than a venture after his first two preseason performances than when the Warriors picked him No. 28 total regardless of taking part in in solely 11 faculty video games. However the plan stays for the 19-year-old to begin the season in Santa Cruz with the Warriors G League affiliate.
Coming off a two-year ankle harm that restricted him final season and saved him out of summer season league, Baldwin put up two noteworthy performances in Japan. Within the opener, he scored seven factors and grabbed a rebound in eight minutes. He was even higher within the second recreation, registering 12 factors (4-for-5 from past the arc) and 6 rebounds in 17 minutes. He additionally was energetic on protection and completed with a team-leading plus-23.
“He can transfer his toes and keep in entrance of guards, he’s sensible, shoots it, passes it, he’s a extremely good wanting participant,” Kerr mentioned.
However these fundamentals doubtless received’t be sufficient to maintain Baldwin on the Warriors’ opening evening roster. He’ll doubtless be despatched to Santa Cruz to proceed to get extra reps. ”
“He wants a basis,” Kerr mentioned, “a part of the muse is confidence and the one approach you may acquire confidence is to play lots of minutes, get lots of pictures, make lots of performs, and I couldn’t be happier, extra enthusiastic about Patrick. However I additionally need to mood expectations particularly within the early going so far as like what his affect might be on our membership. He wants minutes and video games performed greater than something.”
Roster replace
The Warriors formally signed ahead Anthony Lamb to a camp deal, the workforce introduced Wednesday.
Lamb joins guard Ty Jerome, who signed with the workforce Tuesday, in being the latest faces on the Warriors’ observe facility.
To make room for the 2, the Warriors waived guard Mac McClung and ahead Trevion Williams on Monday after they got here again from their Japan journey.
Lamb, 24, has appeared in 26 video games over two seasons with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, averaging 5.1 factors, 2.7 rebounds and one help in 16.3 minutes per recreation.