As Klay Thompson gets closer to making his return to the Warriors' lineup, an all-time great NBA player offered a few words of encouragement.
NBA legend Grant Hill visited San Francisco on Monday to help introduce Warriors coach Steve Kerr as the new head coach of the US Men's National Team, and the Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer joined "Warriors Pregame Live" on NBC Sports Bay Area prior to the Warriors' game against the Kings to discuss several topics, including Thompson's impending return.
Hill dealt with serious injuries during his 18-year NBA career, including ankle injuries that caused him to miss nearly 300 games during his time with the Orlando Magic.
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Thompson has missed the last two NBA seasons after tearing his left ACL in 2019 and tearing his right Achilles in 2020. Remarkably, it has been 30 months since the three-time NBA champion has played in an NBA game.
So, what advice would Hill offer to Thompson?
"We've come so far in terms of recovery and the methods with surgery, so I think he'll be fine," Hill told Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Dorell Wright. "The most important thing is you can't get it all back right away, in some cases. So as long as he can put together consecutive days, consecutive weeks, consecutive months of health -- the basketball part is going to be there -- I think he'll be fine. I think he's in a great situation. Team is doing well. He'll come right in and fit right in and it will be fun to watch. Except when you play against him."
The Warriors provided an update on Thompson last week and didn't set a return date, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported, citing sources, that the five-time NBA All-Star and the team are targeting Jan. 9 or Jan. 18 home games, while also not ruling out a possible Jan. 3 return.
Everyone will be rooting for Thompson to make a successful return to the court, including Hill.