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Steve Kerr already excited for Klay Thompson’s return next season

It’s been two seasons since Klay Thompson suited up to play in a game for the Warriors, and for the team’s head coach, his return can’t come soon enough.

The Warriors missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, but Thompson is on track to return from a torn Achilles for the beginning of the team’s 2021-22 campaign.

And the Warriors need him, having blown leads in play-in games to both the Lakers and Grizzlies, keeping them out of the postseason. To be fair, playing without Thompson, as well as James Wiseman, made life difficult on them, with Steph Curry having to carry the team on his back.

But they’re on track to have Thompson back next season, and he’ll likely receive quite the ovation from the fans at Chase Center. Head coach Steve Kerr is already looking forward to it, which he stated during an appearance on 95.7 The Game’s “Damon, Ratto and Kolsky” show.

“It’ll light [the room] up, for one thing,” Kerr said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “Everyone loves Klay. He’s such a breath of fresh air, he’s so much fun to be around. And then, the fact that when we walk into camp for the first time next year, it’s all together with Klay, being on the court with the rest of the guys in training camp, that means everybody’s spirits will be higher, including mine.”

Kerr also touched on Klay’s availability to start the season.

“We don’t know exactly how ready he’s going to be to play on opening night,” Kerr continued, “but we know he’ll be on the court and working towards that point. And if it’s not opening night, it won’t be too far after. And that is such great news for Klay — for us, obviously — but for Klay, boy, it’s been a rough couple of years.”

We can’t wait to see the Splash Bros back in action, either.