OKLAHOMA CITY – Warriors forward James Michael McAdoo was dressed and eager for action, as might be expected of a 23-year-old NBA player who has been locked away for two months.
McAdoo was active Saturday, for the first time since New Year’s Eve, for the Warriors-Thunder game at Chesapeake Energy Arena. He missed 25 games, the heart of his second season, with a sprained toe on his foot.
“When it first happened, I thought it would be something that would keep me out maybe a couple days,” McAdoo said prior to tipoff. “But when I went back out there and tried to play, one week turned to two weeks and the next thing you know it’s right around two months.”
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SIGN UP HERE The recovery sped up after the met with a foot specialist three weeks ago, McAdoo said, after which he finished his recovery with the aid of the Warriors training staff.
Coach Steve Kerr on several occasions noted that between desiring rest for power forward Draymond Green and the absence of backup center Festus Ezeli out (knee surgery), there would have been playing time for McAdoo.
“There was definitely opportunity to be out there playing,” McAdoo said, “but all I could do was focus on my rehab.”
“It took a little longer than I expected, but it feels good to finally be able to put the uniform back on.”
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With McAdoo on the active list Saturday, rookie Kevon Looney joined Ezeli on the single-game inactive list.