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Klay Thompson Expected to Play Game 1 of NBA Finals

All-Star shooting guard continues recovering from last week's concussion.

The Golden State Warriors will need to be full-strength to knock out LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

And the Western Conference champions figure to be just that, as they expect All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson to be cleared to play Game 1 of the Finals, beginning Thursday night.

On Friday, it was officially announced that Thompson sustained a concussion in Game 5 Western Conference Finals-clinching win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. But he has been doing well in the days since.

"He's doing well," Kerr told ESPN of Thompson after practice Saturday at the team's facility. "I'm anticipating he's going to be there. I expect him there." 

The Warriors making quick work out of the Rockets and being awarded seven full days of rest should help. 

"Klay's disposition never changes. He's always just mellow and he just sort of takes it all in stride," Kerr added. "It's good that we have this break, because he has the time to go through what he needs to get through."

Thompson was accidentally kneed in the head by the Rockets' Trevor Ariza during the fourth quarter on Wednesday night. After being taken off the court, Thompson passed the NBA's concussion protocol and was given permission to return to the game. However, he didn't.

Then, after the game, Thompson felt dizzy. That triggered more tests, which revealed that he had indeed been concussed. If Thompson continues to pass the league's concussion protocol of tests, he will be allowed to return to the court for Game 1 of the Finals.

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Thompson averaged a career-high 21.7 points per game during the regular season and is averaging 19.7 points per contest during these playoffs. 

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(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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