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USATSI

Klay Thompson is getting closer and closer to a return to action, which is reportedly expected to come either right before Christmas or potentially right after it, depending on the shape he's in. He's been practicing with the Golden State Warriors' G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, and will continue to ramp things up with more game action with the team before making his return, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Thompson's been a full participant in scrimmages with the Santa Cruz team, playing for long stretches of time, and looking like his old self in footage from the practices. 

Even if it's just a few clips in a G League practice, it's great to see Thompson back on the court. Unsurprisingly, he's been locked in right from the get-go. According to Santa Cruz's head coach, Seth Cooper, Thompson couldn't miss when he first stepped on the court.

"He's cleared for full go, so everything we did was full 100 percent he was going," Cooper said. "There was no holding him back. There was no pulling back, it was just letting him go and letting him experience playing all out. He did that, and he looked really good doing it... I think he made his first 18 shots."

Thompson, of course, has been out since Game 6 of the 2019 Finals, when he tore his ACL in the Warriors' season-ending loss to the Toronto Raptors. Shortly before the start of last season, he then tore his Achilles tendon during a workout. Now, after two seasons and two-plus calendar years, Thompson is finally about to play again.

"I hate to use the phrase 'can't wait,' because I love to be present in my life," Thompson said. "But I cannot wait. I really, really enjoy being a Warrior."

When he does get back on the court, he'll join a Warriors team that once again looks like a title favorite. They're off to a 21-5 start, and boast a league-leading plus-12.0 net rating. Getting Thompson back will just be icing on the cake for the Warriors.