The Golden State Warriors' 2020-21 NBA title hopes reportedly took a major hit today when ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that star forward Klay Thompon will miss the entire season after suffering a torn Achilles.
Klay Thompson diagnosed with torn Achilles. https://t.co/1ixKCWprha
— FantasyLabs NBA (@FantasyLabsNBA) November 19, 2020
The betting market was also quick to react to the breaking injury news.
Just two days ago the Warriors were tied with the Brooklyn Nets at +700 to win the 2020-21 NBA Championship, trailing just the Los Angeles Lakers (+325), Milwaukee Bucks (+450) and Los Angeles Clippers (+550) at PointsBet.
With Thompson expected to be out for the season, Golden State's title odds have plummeted to 22-1.
The drop from 7-1 to 22-1 represents a difference of 12.5% to 4.35% in terms of implied probability (before adjusting for the vig).
Interestingly, the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas was much more aggressive, adjusting Golden State all the way down to 100-1.
Following a five-year stretch that included five NBA Finals appearances and three championships, the loss of Kevin Durant (who signed with the Brooklyn Nets) and injuries to Thompson and Stephen Curry resulted in 15-50 campaign last season.
However, many (including the betting market) predicted a rebound in 2020-21 with Golden State's big three of Thompson, Curry and Draymond Green expected to be healthy enough to make a run at another finals appearance.
But as Wojnarowski reported, the Warriors will have to wait another year before getting all three of their key players back and compete for another NBA title.
