Klay Thompson expects more 37-point quarters and other scoring outbursts from himself in the future, such as the time he scored 14 3-pointers in a game.

Not that the Golden State Warriors star is “a numbers guy” like he used to be before suffering two horrific injuries.

“I intend to do it again, but who knows when?” “It’s difficult to say,” Thompson admitted.

He has resumed full-court, five-on-five scrimmaging as part of his rehabilitation after surgery in November for a torn right Achilles tendon, which came after a season off after having the ACL in his left knee repaired.

“It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am to be playing basketball again,” Thompson said following a full-speed practice Tuesday. “I’m feeling like myself.” I’m in a wonderful mood. I’m making shots and playing outstanding defense… I’m on the defensive. The most difficult element is simply replicating a game and the conditioning required to be a great NBA player. It’s difficult, and it definitely takes time.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the team would have a clearer idea in a few weeks about when Thompson might be ready to play again, and Stephen Curry’s Splash Brother is still hoping for the first half of the season. He recognizes there will be a time limit at first.

“He’s in a great frame of mind,” added Kerr. “The most important thing is that he hasn’t played in two and a half years.” While the Achilles is structurally fine, everything is robust, and there have been no negative effects, it is only a matter of growing his strength and endurance, particularly his endurance. It just takes time, a long time.”

Thompson stated that he is now playing in four-minute bursts and would gradually increase that volume to five minutes, then six and seven minutes in the coming weeks — and “hopefully in a month I’m playing 12-minute quarters and that’s when I’m approaching game play.”

Thompson believes that his patience will be rewarded when he returns to top form.

“I don’t want to come back and be a shell of myself, I want to come back like I was last time I was playing, and I was one of the best players in the world,” Thompson stated at the time.

Thompson, 31, did not participate at all during the coronavirus-shortened season as he recovered from knee surgery in July 2019 after being injured in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors.

Then, in November 2020, he tore his Achilles tendon while participating in a pickup game in Southern California.

Now, he believes, “it’s championship or bust” for the Warriors, who are 15-2.

“And I’m not even out there yet, think about that, really think about that,” he stated forcefully, placing his left hand on the platform. “I’m also more motivated than before. I want a championship more than anything else.”

Kerr understands how important it is to Thompson and says, “Klay is just so happy to be out there playing and competing.”

“It’s a true blessing, and it makes coming to work so much easier.” “The boring stuff is behind me,” Thompson added, “and now I’m just trying to get back into game shape.” It’s quite thrilling, and I have to be patient because I might be a little impatient to get out there and play. But I’m just so thankful to be out there.”