Warriors' McCaw targets NBA Finals return
Golden State Warriors backup guard Patrick McCaw is targeting a return in the playoffs.
"That is a goal, definitely," McCaw told The Undefeated. "I definitely want to be back this season. That is my main goal."
Recovering from a scary spinal bruise that has sidelined him since March, McCaw was cleared by the team to start "modified on-court shooting and running drills." He is scheduled to be evaluated again at the end of May. The NBA Finals begin May 31.
McCaw is at ease with the medical personnel making the decision on his status based on progress, even if that means no basketball this season.
"Everything is going to be all right. Thinking back to what happened, everything could have been so much worse for me. I have nothing but optimism about what is going to happen," he said. "I'm excited about my rehab and me coming back and playing the game that I love. Everybody has been helping me stay levelheaded and keep working hard."
McCaw was injured in a March 31 game against the Sacramento Kings when he was undercut by Vince Carter while driving to the basket, leading to a violent crash to the floor. The 22-year-old initially could not feel his legs and was stretched off after a long delay. He was later diagnosed with a lumbosacral bone bruise.
After reported pain while sleeping and fears he would not be able to walk again, McCaw has made steady progress.
"It was definitely a life-changing moment for me," McCaw said. "It is so much bigger than basketball to say that I can stand on my own two feet again and be able to walk again. It made everything so much bigger than what I had been seeing it for. You really take so much for granted being young and thinking you'll be able to get it back if you make a mistake. Now, I look at things just wide-eyed."
In 57 games this season, McCaw averaged 4.0 points in 16.9 minutes per game. He was originally chosen in the second round of the 2016 draft out of UNLV, picked by the Milwaukee Bucks and moved to Golden State in a draft-night trade.
--Field Level Media
