Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors suffered a ruptured left ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, sidelining him for the rest of the series. When training camp commenced late last month, the Warriors were hoping Thompson would be able to return after the All-Star break.

In an interview with Logan Murdock of NBC Sports BayArea published Tuesday morning, coach Steve Kerr stated that Thompson may not play at all in the 2019-20 season.

“Generally an ACL for a basketball player is a full year recovery,” Kerr told ESPN. “And if Klay has a full year, he’s out for the season.” We’ve left the door open in case the rehab goes well and the doctors decide he’s ready to travel. The reality is that he had his operation on July 1 at the nine-month mark, on April 1. “April 1 is nine months post-op for an ACL… he’s unlikely to play this year.”

Thompson stated when the Warriors’ training camp commenced that he would stick to the rehab plan and that it is not worth pushing too hard too soon at this stage. ACL tears typically require six months of rehabilitation, with additional time required to regain full strength and mobility.

“The last thing you want to do is rush back, especially for a player like me who wants to play ’til his late 30s,” Thompson told ESPN.

Kerr, who tore his ACL in college while playing for Arizona, told NBC Sports BayArea that Thompson still needs time to recuperate.

“You have to look at it realistically,” added Kerr. “I tore my ACL in college and missed the entire season.” In general, an ACL tear requires a full year of recovery for a basketball player, and if Klay need a full year, he will be out for the season.

“We have to prepare our young guys to fill that role behind him, and when he gets back, whenever that is, hopefully these young guys now are developed and in the rotation and ready to really be contributors on a playoff team and we can get better.”

Later that day, Kerr corrected his remarks, saying Thompson isn’t fully gone for the season.

“My remark was pretty matter-of-fact. I wasn’t making any announcements. He’s doing well in his rehabilitation. “He could still play,” Kerr explained. “But I forgot, with modern media, ‘unlikely’ will be on the ticker, OUT FOR THE YEAR and all that nonsense.” Probably my error in opening my mouth.”

Thompson has been around the club in recent weeks, and Murdock writes that he stood along the baseline as players finished off individual workouts after Sunday’s practice. Thompson, one of the NBA’s most durable players, having appeared in 615 of a possible 640 regular-season games and set the team record most consecutive games played (214). Being out of the lineup and the flow of regular games has been difficult for him, according to Kerr.

“He’s bored,” Kerr explained. “I mean, Klay loves basketball, he loves to play, so he’s three months into his rehab and his knee feels pretty good.” He’s not in any discomfort. He can get out there and shoot around, but he has to let it heal first, and he can’t sprint or cut. So we’ll see him working out in the weight room and the training room.

“However, I feel sorry for him. You never feel like you’re a part of it unless you’re actually playing and among the guys, which he misses.”

The Warriors will open the 2019-20 season against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.