The Golden State Warriors got past the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, but they might have been wise to play with helmets on. One game after Stephen Curry tumbled over Trevor Ariza onto his head, neck and shoulder fellow “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson was felled by an Ariza flying knee.
Thompson laid on the floor for a few minutes before going to the locker room on his own power. He looked woozy, and had blood streaming from his ear, but returned to the sideline and celebrated Golden State’s win with his teammates.
Mychal Thompson to Yahoo on his son Klay’s concussion: "He said he just needs a good night's sleep. Threw up & says he feels a lot better."
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) May 28, 2015
The dizziness and vomiting are clear signs of a concussion, yet after he was kneed he went to the locker room and passed a battery of tests that cleared him regarding the NBA’s concussion protocol. Curry also went through that process and returned to the game, although his first shot attempt, an airball, caused concern for viewers. Because Wednesday night’s game was well in hand, Thompson did not return to the court.
Thompson had a strangely productive night before the frightening head shot. He had 20 points and four assists on 8-of-14 shooting (4-of-6 from 3-point range) but only played 22 minutes because of foul trouble. Thompson, who has not fouled out of a single game this season, picked up his fifth foul early in the third quarter.
Thompson will have to pass more tests now before he can play in the NBA Finals, but he will have a week to recover. Game 1 vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers is scheduled for June 4.
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