Klay Thompson has gone to the #Warriors locker room after an awkward collision with J.R. Smith#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/4XEIyZJNgK
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 1, 2018
UPDATE: The Warriors are calling the injury a left lateral leg contusion for Klay Thompson. He has returned to the bench, and is hopeful to return for Game 1.
Halfway into the first quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the course of the series may have changed drastically. Klay Thompson looked to be in extreme pain after having his legs taken out by Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith during a fast break.
Though reckless, Smith appeared to have slipped on the play, falling right into Thompson’s knee. Thompson cried out in pain and laid on the ground for a few seconds, before walking to the bench under his own power, then headed to the locker room.
At the time of Thompson’s injury, the Warriors trailed 18-15, with Stephen Curry getting off to a hot start, scoring a quick nine points.