Sports

Warriors Guard Klay Thompson Returns to Practice

Published

11 years ago

June 2, 2015

In this photo taken May 27, 2015, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson reacts after taking a knee to his head from Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals. The Warriors hope to get healthy and stay in tune over the next week before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Thompson needs to pass through the league’s concussion protocol and Stephen Curry is trying to get his aching body back at full strength. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

ANTONIO GONZALEZ, AP Basketball Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson is one step away from being cleared to play in the NBA Finals.

Thompson returned to practice Monday, a major step in the All-Star shooting guard’s recovery. Thompson said he feels great and is just waiting on final clearance from doctors under the NBA’s concussion protocol to play in Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.

“I expect to be (cleared),” Thompson said. “I’m well on my way there. I haven’t been cleared yet, but I fully expect to be in the next couple days.”

So long as Thompson remains symptom free, the team said he will be cleared to play in the finals.

Thompson suffered a concussion after getting kneed in the head by Houston’s Trevor Ariza in Golden State’s Western Conference finals clinching win Wednesday night. Team doctors initially cleared Thompson to return to the game. He ended up not playing, and the team said he started developing symptoms after the game.

Thompson’s father, former NBA player Mychal Thompson, had to drive his son home because he was feeling ill — including vomiting a couple of times. He also needed stitches on his right ear after the hit caused blood to spill down the side of his head.

“It looked much worse than it was,” Thompson said. “Honestly, I only had one tough night, and that was the night of the game. I just had a headache until I went to sleep. But I woke up the next morning feeling all right. I got a good breakfast and I felt great, honestly. It was just that night of the game that my head was just a little shook.”

Thompson said he passed initial concussion tests and felt fine, including during his interview on the ESPN broadcast. He said doctors told him it was common for symptoms to show up later after another test confirmed the concussion.

“It might have been because of my adrenaline. I was so excited because we played so well,” he said. “Honestly, I felt great through the celebration and everything. And then a couple hours after the game I just had a little headache and felt a little woozy.”

He said Ariza told him after the game the hit wasn’t intentionally — and Thompson didn’t think it was, either. He said he has watched the play a few times.

“I was trying to get a shot fake up and then trying to go by him. It’s just unfortunate when I was trying to go by him I caught his knee,” he said.

It was the second time Thompson has been concussed. He said his first concussion came during his freshman year of high school.

“I knew it wouldn’t take me more than a few days to get back to normal,” Thompson said. “The last one I got was worse than the one I got last week. To me, I think it was mild. It wasn’t real severe. But it’s perfect timing having a week off to get fully healthy.”

Thompson missed practices Friday and Saturday and the team was off Sunday, when he sat in the stands at the Coliseum watching the Oakland Athletics beat the New York Yankees 3-0. He had done some running and shooting before going through every part of Monday’s practice, including a five-on-five scrimmage.

Teammates said he looked great, and they didn’t miss a chance to tease Thompson for his always stoic demeanor.

“Hard to tell,” Warriors center Andrew Bogut joked, “Pre- and post-concussion symptoms, he’s the same.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr reiterated he believes Thompson will start in Game 1. He had said Saturday that he had not even been preparing to play without him.

In other injury news, Kerr said backup center Festus Ezeli returned to practice after sitting out Saturday with an illness. Reserve forward Marreese Speights, who missed all of the conference finals with a strained right calf, also participated in practice, Kerr said.

___

Antonio Gonzalez can be reached at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

11 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.