Klay Thompson Injury: Updates on Warriors Star's Hand and Return

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson is recovering from a sprained hand and working to get back on the court.

Continue for updates.

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Thompson to Play vs. Spurs

Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears has an update on Thompson's status:

Thompson Listed As Questionable vs. Spurs

Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Klay Thompson's status for Golden State's matchup vs. San Antonio:

Monday, Nov. 10

Thompson Already Eying Return Date

Diamond Leung of ibabuzz.com provides a statement from Thompson discussing his injury status and potential return following the Warriors' loss on Sunday:

"

I wanted to (play), but at the same time, I do realize it’s Nov. 9, and I didn’t want to go risk it out there. I’ll be back Tuesday (for a home game against San Antonio).

[...]

I could shoot, but it wasn’t with any power. I couldn’t really do nothing with any zip on the ball. My hand was just 60 percent.

"

Sunday, Nov. 9

Thompson Sits Due to Sprained Hand

Thompson was forced to miss Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns due to his hand injury. 

Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic provided further details about his status:

Steve Kerr briefly commented on the injury via ESPN's Amin Elhassari:

This is a rarity for Thompson, who has been one of the most durable players in the NBA since the Warriors drafted him in the first round of the 2011 draft. The only game he missed during his first three seasons was to attend a family matter, not because of an injury.

That type of durability is a vastly underrated trait. While there's definitely some luck involved, being able to suit up on a nightly basis helps bring stability to a team. It's even more important since Thompson is a key piece of the Warriors lineup.

Coming into the season, Thompson talked about improving his overall athleticism to help add extra dynamics to his game, as noted by Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area.

"I feel like I'm the most athletic I've been in my career, with age and getting stronger. It's something I've really focused on over these last months," he said. "My jumper's always going to be the staple of my game, but you can use that to your advantage. A pump fake or two, and you can get to the rim easy. Being with those other guys, in FIBA, I learned a lot from them, how they've been so successful getting inside."

It shows that no matter how much a player focuses on fitness, injuries can still pop up. The key is making sure it doesn't become a lingering issue.

If Thompson is forced to miss time, the only comforting news for the Warriors is that they do have some depth on the perimeter. Leandro Barbosa, Nemanja Nedovic and Brandon Rush could all see an uptick in usage. Nedovic has the most upside of the group.

Alas, even with a solid reserve group to utilize, the Warriors won't be able to fully replace Thompson's impact at both ends of the floor. He's best known for his jump shot, but he's made steady improvement to become a more well-rounded player, as well.

That's why a true outlook for Golden State won't be known until a further update is provided on the talented shooting guard.