The Golden State Warriors are banged up heading into their second-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, but it sounds like Klay Thompson has at least a chance to play.
Thompson suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of Golden State’s series-clinching win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that an MRI he underwent on Saturday came back clean.
An MRI on the right ankle of Golden State’s Klay Thompson returned clean on Saturday night, league sources tell ESPN. His status for Game 1 will be clearer after a pregame workout.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 28, 2019
Wojnarowski added that there is “optimism” Thompson will play but he could be limited.
There’s optimism that Thompson will play Game 1 but bigger question is whether there will be limitations on his mobility, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/90yuZGWgUd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 28, 2019
While it’s good news that there is no structural damage, Thompson could still be in a significant amount of pain. A report from over the weekend said the injury is “pretty bad” and Thompson’s status for Sunday will depend upon how he responds to treatment.
While Thompson has shown toughness by playing through injuries during the postseason before, the Warriors need to be smart. They are hoping they have a lot more basketball left to play, and ankle injuries can have a tendency to linger.
