After taking an accidental, flying knee to the head during Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, it was determined that Klay Thompson didn't have any signs of a possible concussion. But after the game he admitted he felt a little woozy. Then there were reports that Thompson couldn't drive home after the game and had even vomited. He still wasn't given the clear diagnosis of having a concussion.

However, after neurological testing and examinations on Friday, the Warriors announced their shooting guard does indeed have a concussion and isn't allowed to return to the court until he doesn't show any symptoms, per the NBA's concussion protocol. The Warriors' statement via Ethan Sherwood Strauss of ESPN.com:

"Following extensive examinations the last two days -- including neurological tests earlier this morning -- Warriors' guard Klay Thompson has been diagnosed with a concussion. He will not return to the court until he is symptom-free and cleared under the NBA's concussion protocol guidelines. He will be evaluated daily and there's no timetable for his return."

Such a vicious hit that caused Thompson to bleed out of his ear seemed to be a lock to have caused some sort of brain injury on the play. However, he wasn't diagnosed with a concussion at the time so there wasn't this automatic denial from letting him continue play. Per the NBA's concussion protocol, once a player is diagnosed with a concussion, they're automatically held out from play for the rest of the game or day (in the event of it occurring during a practice).

In order for Thompson to return to practice and/or be ready for Game 1, these are the "return-to- participation decisions" and protocol from the NBA:

4. Return-to Participation Decisions:

  • Once a player is diagnosed with a concussion he is then held out of all activity until he is symptom-free at rest and until he has no appreciable difference from his baseline neurological exam and his baseline score on the computerized cognitive assessment test.
  • The concussed player may not return to participation until he is asymptomatic at rest and has successfully completed the NBA concussion return-to-participation exertion protocol.

5. Return-to Participation Protocol:

  • The return to participation protocol involves several steps of increasing exertion -- from a stationary bike, to jogging, to agility work, to non-contact team drills.
  • With each step, a player must be symptom free to move to the next step. If a player is not symptom free after a step, he stops until he is symptom free and begins again at the previous step of the protocol (i.e., the last step he passed without any symptoms).
  • While the final return-to participation decision is to be made by the player’s team physician, the team physician must discuss the return-to-participation process and decision with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the Director of the NBA’s Concussion Program, prior to the player being cleared for full participation in NBA Basketball.
  • It's important to note that there is no timeframe to complete the protocol. Each injury and player is different and recovery time can vary in each case.

With Game 1 not coming until Thursday, June 4, the Warriors have plenty of time to hope Thompson's symptoms go away and he's healthy enough to return to the basketball court.

Now Klay Thompson does have a concussion. (USATSI)
Now Klay Thompson does have a concussion. (USATSI)