Warriors’ Klay Thompson to sit out preseason games in Japan: ‘We just want to be safe’
The Warriors and Wizards are playing two preseason games in Japan
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson will once again have his patience tested.
Prior to Golden State’s 96-87 preseason win over the Washington Wizards in Japan, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced that Thompson will sit out both preseason games at Saitama Super Arena.
Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23, Klay Thompson #11 and Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a group photo by the Tokyo Tower on September 29, 2022, in Tokyo, Japan. (Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Thompson, who returned to the court in January 2022 after two and a half years rehabbing from injuries, will be held out as he ramps up before the start of the 2022-2023 NBA season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FORMER TOP 5 NBA DRAFT PICK INVOLVED IN 8-PLAYER TRADE: REPORT
"Just feel more comfortable giving him a little more of a ramp up," Kerr said on Friday, according to ESPN. "He's just not quite ready to play at this point, just based on where, you know, we're so early in camp. We just want to be safe and make sure he gets a good ramp-up before he plays in games."
Thompson warmed up before Friday’s game, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NBA ANNOUNCER MIKE BREEN’S HOME DESTROYED IN FIRE
"Just coming off the two years with the injuries, this is really unique to play a game after 3½ practices, so we're just being cautious and trying to do the smart thing," Kerr said.
Klay Thompson, #11 of the Golden State Warriors, warms up against the Washington Wizards as part of the 2022 Japan Games at Saitama Super Arena on September 30, 2022, in Saitama, Japan. (Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Thompson’s injuries coincided with two difficult years for the Warriors, who went 15-50 during the 2019-2020 season and missed out on the playoffs in 2020-2021.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Thompson’s first major injury came during the 2019 NBA Finals when the five-time All-Star tore his ACL against the Toronto Raptors in Game 6. As he was preparing for the 2020-2021 season, he tore his Achilles, costing him another year.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Golden State was very cautious with Thompson in his return last season, putting him on a minutes restriction and never allowing him to play on back-to-back nights.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in action during the NBA Japan Games Team Practice on September 29, 2022, in Tokyo, Japan. (Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images))
Even with the restrictions, Thompson’s return to the court in 2022 was a success, appearing in 32 regular season games and averaging 20.4 points per game on 38.5% from the three-point line.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
During the Warriors' NBA championship run, Thompson averaged 36 minutes per game, shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Golden State will return to the Bay Area for three preseason games at Chase Center before starting their title defense.