Klay Thompson, pictured controlling the ball while being defended by Dante Exum at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 8, 2017 in Salt Lake City, wants the Golden State Warriors to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals.
Klay Thompson, pictured controlling the ball while being defended by Dante Exum at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 8, 2017 in Salt Lake City, wants the Golden State Warriors to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals.

Klay Thompson’s much-awaited NBA return could be closer than expected.

Along with the Golden State Warriors’ stunning Thursday win over the Los Angeles Clippers came a positive update about the progress Thompson has made in his recovery from injury.

Speaking ahead of the game, Warriors vice president of basketball operations Mike Dunleavy Jr. shared that while they don't want to get ahead of themselves, Thompson is already in “a great spot” in his recovery, NBC Sports reported.

"I don't want to get ahead of it, but he looks tremendous," Dunleavy said of Thompson on Warriors Live prior to the 115-113 win over the Clippers.

"It's not going to be easy for him to come back after missing two years off, but he's in a great spot," he continued.

The All-Star shooting guard was present during the game and was indeed looking good from the Warriors bench.

It can be recalled that it has been almost a month since Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lifted the lid on Thompson’s real status.

According to Kerr, Thompson has already been practicing with the team, and "everyone's excited" about his return. In line with Dunleavy’s revelation, Kerr also bared that the sharpshooter “looked great” and was already is in his “old” form.

"Klay looked great," Kerr told ESPN after a Warriors team practice last month. "Shooting the lights out. His team won the daily shooting competition. And he was smiling, laughing, joking around, it was really fun to see the old Klay back."

Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors is introduced prior to playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Dec. 01, 2018. Photo: Getty Images/Gregory Shamus

Before being sidelined due to an ACL injury in 2019, Thompson was averaging 21.5 points per game while effectively shooting 40% from the three-point area.

Many are expecting Thompson to pick up where he left off once he returns, but the five-time NBA All-Star is well aware it will not be as easy as it sounds.

Earlier this month, Thompson admitted that despite having confidence, returning to the Splash Brother-type of marksman Warriors fans adored will not be a quick process.

“I expect to get back there,” Thompson said in an interview with SiriusXM's "NBA Radio.” “Not right away just because that was 100 games worth of work and incredible shape.”

“But when I step back on the floor, I'm gonna be a very effective player,” he continued. “Maybe not what I was doing shooting the ball like I was, but I will still be really good. And I will just keep going up – and I really believe that, and the training staff believes that, and my teammates believe that. You know the power of the mind. I have belief in myself to get there again."