Kerr cagey about Thompson's game-three status for Warriors

Golden State coach Steve Kerr was cagey about the status of injured guard Klay Thompson for Wednesday's game three of the NBA Finals, saying it would be a game-time decision.

Less than two hours before tip-off, Kerr was uncertain if he would have the five-time NBA All-Star in his backcourt against the Toronto Raptors, who are level 1-1 with the defending champions in the best-of-seven title showdown.

Thompson, averaging 19.5 points in the playoffs, is listed day-to-day after an MRI exam showed him with a mild left hamstring strain.

Kerr said Thompson, 29, would work with trainers just before the start for a final evaluation after showing progress earlier in the day.

"He's making a very strong case. He wants to play no matter what," Kerr said. "We'll see what the trainer's assessment is.

"He's trying desperately to be out on the floor tonight and we'll have to weigh all the factors and make the decision. We probably won't let him make the decision."

Thompson suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Golden State's 109-104 victory in game two Sunday at Toronto.

If he risks making the injury worse, Thompson won't play, Kerr said.

"Our training staff will let us know the risk," Kerr said. "It's still early in the series, so if there's risk, then we won't play him."

Kevin Durant, Golden State's top playoff scorer with 34.2 points a game, was ruled out of game three on Tuesday.

The 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player has been out for nearly a month with a right calf injury, the Warriors going 6-1 without him.

Kerr said Durant has had good workouts the past two days and he hopes to put him in scrimmage situations on Thursday with an eye to game four on Friday.

"He's got to continue to improve and not have any setbacks," Kerr said. "That's the main thing."

Golden State has lost backup forward Kevon Looney for the remainder of the finals to a chest injury and swingman Andre Iguodala, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, is playing despite a calf injury.

The Warriors seek a third consecutive NBA crown and their fourth in five seasons while the Raptors are in the finals for the first time in their 24-season history.

? 2019 AFP