It's been almost two years since Klay Thompson last played in an NBA game, and it understandably appears to be taking a toll on the Warriors star.
Steph Curry understands how much Thompson loves the game, and consoled his teammate while on the bench Friday night during the Warriors' 118-97 win over the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center.
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With Curry doing all he can to try to drag the Warriors out of the play-in tournament, it's easy to understand why it's hard for Thompson to sit on the sideline unable to help his Splash Brother carry the Warriors.
After Friday's win, the Warriors now sit at 30-30 and in ninth place in the Western Conference with 12 games to play. They are one game back of the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, two-and-a-half back of seven-seeded Portland and three back of the now-sixth-seed Dallas Mavericks.
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Three games is a lot of ground to make up with only 12 to play. The Mavericks also own the NBA's easiest schedule the rest of the way.
But Curry, who has reinserted himself into the NBA MVP conversation, is hell-bent on trying to get the Warriors to the No. 6 seed.
Thompson, who tore his Achilles in November, will have to wait until next season to return to the court. When he and Curry are reunited, the rest of the NBA will be put on notice.