More Details Emerge From Klay Thompson’s Latest Injury

Just before the 2020 NBA Draft, news broke out that Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson suffered a serious leg injury while playing in a workout with former and current NBA players in Los Angeles. According to the report, Thompson’s injury was so bad that he couldn’t put weight on his leg and had to be escorted on his way out of the gym.

Speculation ran wild and the Warriors feared for the worst. With the way he got hurt, sources said that it appeared he injured his right heel, and possibly tore his Achilles. An MRI was set for the following day.

On Thursday, the Warriors confirmed what everyone had feared:

Klay Thompson suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, an MRI confirmed today in Los Angeles. Thompson suffered the injury in a workout yesterday in Southern California. He is expected to miss the 2020-21 season. pic.twitter.com/w733cWawK6

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 19, 2020

Second Serious Injury

Thompson’s latest injury is a tear to his right Achilles tendon. Klay missed the entire 2019-20 season after tearing the ACL of his left knee. He had spent the last 17 months getting back in shape and ready for the 2020-21 season. Now his 2020-21 campaign has ended before it has even started.

#Warriors Klay Thompson goes down with a knee injury, limps to the locker room, then walks back out to the court. 😬#NBAFinals Game 6 is on TSN. pic.twitter.com/lNbBlAQ5L5

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 14, 2019

Prior to the 2019-20 NBA season, Thompson had not missed more than 16 games in a single season. He had his own share of injuries but nothing series. Well, that was until the 2019 NBA Finals when Klay tore the ACL of his left knee. Thompson was going for a dunk when he was challenged and fouled by Danny Green when he landed awkwardly.

He would miss the entire 2019-20 season and with the Warriors’ two-time MVP also missing most of the campaign with a hand injury, Golden State fell from grace last season. From being 2018 NBA champions to 2019 Western Conference champions, the Dubs had the second-worst record in the NBA last season and missed the playoffs after seven straight appearances which included five trips to the Finals and three NBA titles. But while Golden State’s fall was hard, Klay Thompson’s could be harder.

Recent History of Achilles Injuries in the NBA

DeMarcus Cousins ruptured his left Achilles tendon in 2018 and returned to play 30 games for the Warriors the following season. But after signing with the Lakers before the previous season, he tore the ACL of his left knee during a pickup game. It remains to be seen when Cousins will play again. Kevin Durant ruptured his right Achilles during the same NBA Finals where Klay Thompson got hurt. KD is expected to return from injury when the 2020-21 season starts.

Kobe Bryant suffered an Achilles tear and he lasted only three seasons after that. Mario Chalmers was injured in 2016 and he played his last NBA game in 2018. 25-year old Brandon Jennings got hurt in 2015 and he lasted only until 28. Anderson Varejao too ended his NBA career three years after an Achilles injury.

But there have been those who have successfully returned from an Achilles injury. Elton Brand got hurt in 2007 but was able to play until 2016. Wesley Matthews was injured in 2015 and he is still in the league right now. Rudy Gay suffered an Achilles injury at the same age as Thompson ( 30) and he is still playing in the NBA. A typical Achilles injury takes an average of eight months to recover from. Here’s hoping that we’ll see Klay return successfully.

How Klay’s Injury Affects Warriors Odds

While there is almost no doubt that Klay Thompson will be able to return from this injury, the bigger question is how it will affect the Golden State Warriors’ 2020-21 campaign. The Warriors have been predicted to make a strong comeback after last season’s debacle. With Steph Curry and Klay returning plus the addition of the #2 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, the Warriors were one of the early market betting favorites to win the 2021 NBA title.

Klay Thompson Achilles tear drastically changes Warriors’ NBA title odds – NBA News – https://t.co/kBkYuYtlvA pic.twitter.com/JwgOsyFH84

— NBA News Now (@NBANewsNow247) November 19, 2020

Golden State opened with the third-best odds to win the 2021 NBA championship at +800 at online sportsbook BetOnline.ag. Only the Lakers and Clippers were ahead of them on the opening odds board. After the first wave of NBA trades was consummated during the offseason, the Warriors fell in the odds boards but were still a solid fifth. On the day that Klay got hurt, Golden State was still hovering at +1000 at Bet365 and William Hill. However, the Warriors have dropped to +2000 in most sportsbooks.

Warriors GM Bob Meyers spoke about Golden State’s $17M trade exception from the Andre Iguodala trade on Wednesday. He said he has the green light to use it as necessary. It’s the largest such exception in the NBA and the Warriors could use that to upgrade their roster in the aftermath of Klay Thompson’s injury. For sure, replacing Thompson will be impossible. But at least the Warriors should be competitive next season.