It’s been 836 days since Klay Thompson has played in an NBA game.

The last time Thompson saw the floor of an actual game was game six of the 2019 Finals against the Toronto Raptors, who would go on to win the championship following the completion of that same game.

As we know, Thompson tore his ACL towards the end of the game, and after a full rehab period leading to just prior to training camp of the following year, he tore his Achilles tendon while on the practice court working on his jumper.

Here we are again, just a day prior to Warriors training camp, and Klay Thompson is still rehabbing from an injury, however, all signs are pointing in the right direction if you ask Steve Kerr.

In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, Kerr gave some insight on the five-time NBA all-star’s health status.

“I do know that watching him every day on the court, he’s really moving well, he’s in good shape, he’s happy, he’s excited to be back out on the floor with the guys,” Kerr said. “The light is finally at the end of the tunnel.”

That is in line with pretty much everything else we’ve heard regarding where Thompson is in his recovery.

Being absent from playing in a game for over two years sounds daunting. An unfortunate situation that could really get to a professional athlete mentally, if they weren’t mentally strong, and if they didn’t have healthy coping mechanisms.

But for Klay, he seems to have really fostered a positive outlook regarding having to come back from two major injuries, back to back. He’s been enjoying his time on his famous boat trips around the Bay, as well as spending time with his pal, Rocco, among other things.

Thompson’s return, likely around Christmas time by many reports, will surely be an emotional moment for anyone who is a fan of Klay’s. And let’s be honest, who isn’t a fan?

Kerr echoed a similar sentiment when speaking with Kawakami as well.

“I keep thinking about that moment when he steps onto Chase for the first time. It’s going to be so emotional. You think about everything Klay means to this franchise, what he means to our fan base and what he has gone through the last two years just to get to this space. He’s finally on the cusp. And he feels it. You can see it in his walk. He’s excited. And he’s getting close.”

With Kerr’s reassuring words on Thompson’s status, and with an estimated return to play timeline of December, it looks like there will be plenty to look forward to in the coming months for the Warriors.

(Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press)