Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on Tuesday revealed that Klay Thompson and James Wiseman “will not be stepping on an NBA court next week.”

Thompson has missed 29 months after tearing his left ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals and tearing his right Achilles on November 18, 2020. Speaking to reporters after the Warriors' game against the Brooklyn Nets, Kerr said Thompson has already started playing 5-on-5 games on his road to recovery. However, he added that this progress does not mean fans will be seeing Thompson lining up alongside Stephen Curry and company any time soon.

In a video posted by Anthony Slater, Kerr told reporters:

“A two year absence requires a lot of work, not just the rehab but you know the endurance, the strength. It's great that he's playing 5-on-5 but it doesn't mean that he'll be ready to step on an NBA floor next week.”

Wiseman is further behind in his return to the NBA. The 7-foot-1 center underwent surgery last April for a torn meniscus in his right knee. Unlike Thompson, however, Wiseman hasn't been cleared for 5-on-5 games yet. Speaking on Wiseman's rehabilitation progress, Kerr said:

“It's an injury that requires a lot of sort of give and take and daily maintenance and kind of checking in on how he's doing.”

The Warriors have managed a dominant start to the season even without their two key players. Currently with the best record in the NBA with only two losses, it makes sense that Kerr has decided against risking Thompson and Wiseman by rushing them back on the court.

In the meantime, Klay Thompson and James Wiseman will continue to work towards their return as they watch the Warriors play the Cleveland Cavaliers this Thursday.