Report: Warriors’ Klay Thompson not expected to play Christmas vs. Suns

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Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson is close to returning to the court after suffering a torn Achilles prior to the 2020-21 season, but it will not be on Christmas Day against the Phoenix Suns, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The Suns and Warriors currently sit atop the NBA standings both at 23-5, splitting the two meetings between them this season.

The Christmas Day matchup, the first time Phoenix has been featured on Dec. 25 since 2009, was circled as a potential return date for Thompson who has not played since June 13, 2019 due to an ACL tear prior to the Achilles.

The absent Splash Brother has returned to workouts and has been ramping up his conditioning, but the earliest return would be Dec. 28 at home against the Denver Nuggets, according to Charania.

He last averaged 21.5 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 34 minutes per game prior to the knee injury.

Golden State may see the return of 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman, who has yet to play in a game this season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus this offseason. The team recalled both Wiseman and Thomspon on Wednesday from its G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors.

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