Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Warriors' five-time All-Star Klay Thompson won't make season-debut until after Christmas

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/16/21

Golden State Warriors fans will reportedly have to wait a little bit longer for the long-anticipated return of shooting guard Klay Thompson.

The Warriors do not plan for Klay Thompson to debut on either Dec. 20 or Dec. 23 home games, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. Thompson won't come back on Christmas. So earliest possible return would be Dec. 28 -- with Thompson ramping up conditioning over next couple weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 16, 2021

Thompson -- a five-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion -- hasn't played in a game since the 2019 NBA Finals, when he tore his ACL. The 31-year-old was working his way back from the ACL injury in preparation for the 2020-21 campaign when he tore his Achilles last November.

Without Thompson -- and with the all-time three-point leader Stephen Curry limited to just five games -- the Dubs struggled mightily in the 2019-20 pandemic-altered season, going just 15-50. Last season, Golden State bettered their record to 39-33, but lost in the NBA's inaugural Play-in Tournament.

The Warriors have fared significantly better this season behind a second straight MVP-caliber season from Curry, as they currently have the league's best record at 23-5. Golden State is scheduled to play the Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.

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