Klay Thompson has been diagnosed with a concussion after a nasty knee to the temple by Trevor Ariza in Western Conference elimination game against the Houston Rockets. To date, it's not clear if he will come back in time for the NBA Finals 2015.
But the Cleveland Cavaliers are not without the injuries of its own, as all-star point guard Kyrie Irving is still limping from a myriad of injuries and there's no word whether he will come back for the NBA Finals 2015 next month.
According to the team announcement, "Following extensive examinations over the last two days - including neurological tests earlier this morning - Warriors' guard Klay Thompson has been diagnosed with a concussion.
"He will not return to the court until he is symptom-free and cleared under the NBA's concussion protocol guidelines. He will be evaluated daily and there is no timetable for his return," it added.
"In order to be judged ready to safely return to action, Thompson must complete a series of tests that involve 'several steps of increasing exertion - from a stationary bike, to jogging, to agility work, to non-contact team drills,' said Yahoo Sports, quoting from the NBA concussion protocol.
Steve Kerr told Associated Press that Klay Thompson would be a big loss for the NBA Finals 2015 but they couldn't do anything unless he's cleared of the concussion.
'I just do what the doctors say we should do. 'Obviously, we want to be as careful as possible and make sure our players are safe and sound and healthy. So we'll follow this protocol that the league provides and we'll have Klay out here when he's ready,'' he said.
Losing Klay Thompson to a concussion is a huge blow to the Golden State Warriors as he averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in the NBA Playoffs 2015.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving played game 4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 16 points, grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing 5 assists.
"Irving is dealing with pain and discomfort. He's not tempting more serious injury. The longer he sat, the more ground he would have had to make up mentally when the circumstances likely required him to offset Steph Curry and Klay Thompson," the Northeast Ohio Media Group reported.
The article added that Kyrie Irving could not afford to miss the NBA Finals 2015 if Cleveland Cavaliers have any hope of defeating the Golden State Warriors.