Klay Thompson was comfortably on the bench, having gone there at the end of three quarters with the other Golden State starters as the team was up 28 against the Pacers Tuesday night. The Warriors were going to cruise to another comfortable win.
But the Pacers didn’t know it’s a damn show. They thought it was a damn fight. They battled back and made it close enough that Luke Walton had to send the starters back in to secure the victory. The potential danger with that came true — in the final minute of the game Klay Thompson leapt and came down on the foot of Shaun Livingston, and Thompson rolled his ankle. He is out Friday night against Boston.
For tonight: Klay Thompson (sprained right ankle), Harrison Barnes (sprained left ankle) and Kevon Looney (right hip surgery) are out.
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) December 11, 2015
No Klay Thompson (as expected) means Avery Bradley can put all his energy into defending Steph Curry, right? Only way for Celtics to go.
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) December 11, 2015
Thompson had 39 points against Boston, is averaging 18.2 a game this season, and is a key defender for the Warriors.
On the fifth game of a road trip and without two starters, going against a strong defensive team, this is about as vulnerable as the Warriors get. Jeff Van Gundy predicted Boston would win.
They have a chance. I wouldn’t bet my hard-earned money on it, but they have a chance.