Back in 2019, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson suffered challenging leg injuries and the Golden Condition Warriors fell short of their 3rd straight NBA championship. They shed to Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors.
Durant then adjusted groups and moved to the Brooklyn Nets. He only performed in 35 video games for the duration of his very first period on the floor, as he recovered from his harm. Durant sat out the entirety of the shortened 2019-20 season with the Nets.
In the meantime, Thompson re-injured his leg and sat out two total seasons. Thompson at last returned for aspect of the 2021-22 season.
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Although both equally players have been working with their recoveries, they remained in call irrespective of no lengthier remaining teammates. Kevin Durant mentioned the two spoke usually with every other when rehabbing. He experienced the to start with-hand awareness of how poorly Klay Thompson required to return to the courtroom.
“He’s chomping at the bit to get back again out,” Durant mentioned of Thompson.
They spoke a pair of instances a week for the duration of Thompson’s rehab. The discussions continued, even when Durant returned to the floor and Thompson nevertheless experienced to check out from the bench.
“Me and Klay communicate quite generally, a pair of occasions a 7 days,” Durant explained. “It is great to see him beginning to stroll and having his boot. Clearly, I know what that approach is like. “Can’t wait around to see him back out there.”
Thompson’s second injury was an Achilles tear. Durant experienced the same unpleasant injury all through his last season with the Warriors in the playoffs.
Durant’s successful recovery from his harm was possible an inspiration for Thompson to complete his tough return to the court docket. Both of those players have made it back to the NBA now.
Durant has dealt with other injuries that have prevented him from playing a complete period. Thompson is back in the beginning lineup for the Warriors but has taken a little bit of a step-back again after his hard injuries.
Durant averaged 26.9 details per activity in his 35 game titles with the Nets in his 1st season back again from the Achilles personal injury. He has averaged at the very least 25. ppg in every single year given that the personal injury. Nevertheless, Durant has not played far more than 55 online games in a regular time. He hopes to ultimately perform a comprehensive calendar year with the recently loaded Phoenix Suns following period.
Thompson played just 32 games and common 22.9 ppg in the 2021-22 normal period when he returned subsequent his Achilles injury. He also averaged 19. ppg in the Warriors playoff operate to the 2022 title.