The Golden State Warriors headed over to Japan for the first time ever to play a preseason game in 2022, and fans in the country were thrilled to see their favorites in action live. This is just the 4th country outside of the Americas that the team had played in, having previously headed over to China thrice, to go with Spain and France.
The team is set to play twice in Japan against the Washington Wizards, and they won the first game 96-87, as James Wiseman led the way with 20 points. Stars like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, and Andrew Wiggins all played as well, but there was one who didn’t, Klay Thompson.
Steve Kerr Said Klay Thompson Won’t Play Any Of Their Preseason Games In Japan
Head coach Steve Kerr announced the team’s decision before the first game that while Klay is with them in Japan, he won’t be taking part in the action. Kerr revealed that Klay isn’t ready just yet and that they are being cautious, as he had been out for over 2 years before returning in January this year.
via ESPN:
“Just feel more comfortable giving him a little more of a ramp up,” Kerr said ahead of the Warriors’ 96-87 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday. “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.”
“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.
It makes sense to take this approach. The Warriors have 3 more preseason games to play after heading back from Japan, and they can slowly ease in Klay. While they are taking it slowly, the Warriors also have high expectations of him for this upcoming season, with Kerr previously stating that he expects Thompson to have a big year.
We usually see players who return from injury take half a season or so to get back to top shape, and the timeline sits perfectly for Klay in this case. Also, while he isn’t playing, he did have some fun along with Stephen Curry, as the two hilariously failed to move a sumo wrestler. The Warriors have had a lot of fun in Japan, and it is a trip they probably won’t ever forget.
