In this photo taken May 27, 2015, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson reacts after taking a knee to his head from Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals. The Warriors hope to get healthy and stay in tune over the next week before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Thompson needs to pass through the league’s concussion protocol and Stepehen Curry is trying to get his aching body back at full strength. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
OAKLAND, United States – Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has been diagnosed with a concussion, the NBA team announced Friday, and will not play again until he completes the league’s concussion protocol.
That means there is no timetable for the backcourt standout to return to the court as the opening game of the best-of-seven NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers looms at home next Thursday.
Golden State produced the best record in the NBA this season at 67-15. The Warriors are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1975, when they beat Washington for the title.
Thompson, who will be re-evaluated daily, suffered the injury Wednesday in a Western Conference-clinching playoff victory over Houston when leaping Rockets forward Trevor Ariza slammed a knee into the side of Thompson’s head.
Thompson, 25, received his first All-Star Game nod this season. He averaged 21.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 77 games this season.
In the playoffs, Thompson has averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.