Klay Thompson: ‘I’m not missing’ Game 1

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson told A’s manager Bob Melvin Sunday afternoon that he would be ready to play for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Thompson said:

“I’ll be alright. I’m not missing that.”

Thompson was in the stands as the Oakland A’s beat the New York Yankees 3-0 Sunday and was invited into the clubhouse after the game.

Thompson was a hit with the players, went to the game just a day after star point guard Stephen Curry attended at San Francisco Giants game Saturday night. One A’s player, outfielder Josh Reddick, took to Twitter that night:

Thompson, who suffered a concussion after being kneed in the head during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, did not make it clear whether he had passed the NBA’s concussion protocol, which he must pass before he’s eligible to play.

Thompson is average 19.7 points per game in the NBA playoffs this season and is a crucial cog to the Warriors’ success. If he were unable to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has indicated Leandro Barbosa might take his spot. The Warriors also have swing guard Shaun Livingston to fill in as well.

The NBA concussion protocol mandates a player must pass a battery of tests make sure cognitive ability is normal after a blow to the head. Thompson initially passed the test minutes after being hit in the head, but failed the next day.

Thompson has four more days to pass the NBA’s concussion tests before he can return to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday.