Warriors guard Klay Thompson has confirmed rumors that he will return to the court for Sunday’s home game against the Cavaliers, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Thompson made the announcement on his Instagram account, along with a clip from the original “Space Jam” movie with Bill Murray saying, “Perhaps I could be of some assistance.” Thompson also wrote, “How I’m pulling up to chase tomorrow, Bill Murray is my spirit animal. IM SO EXCITED TO SEE YALL.”
It will be the first game action for Thompson since he suffered a torn ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals. He also tore his Achilles during the summer of 2020 and missed all of last season. Sunday will mark 941 days since Thompson’s last game, Charania notes.
Thompson has reportedly been ready to return for some time, but the organization was being careful to make sure he was fully 100%. He was also determined to make his season debut in front of Warriors fans, and Golden State played its last two games on the road.
A five-time All-Star, Thompson was part of the foundation of the Warriors teams that won three titles and appeared in five straight NBA Finals. In his last season before the injuries, he averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 46.7% from the field and 40.2% from three-point range.
Golden State, which has the league’s second-best record at 29-9, plans to insert Thompson back into the starting lineup right away, although he will be on a minutes restriction for a while.
LETS GOOOOOOO
18 min, 18 points, 4/7 from distance
Excellent call
Man I was close!
So much has changed in the nba and world since Klay went out – but as a lifelong dubs fan, I’m so glad he’s back.
#11
Even non-dubs fans should be glad when a guy who has missed 2+ years of basketball returns from multiple significant injuries. Anything less than that would make one a real POS.
Not a dubs fan but truly one of my favorite players in the league. Good to have him back.
Thrilled to see Klay back with the Warriors. Now it gets interesting. Steph should have a little more room to get his shots off. Double teams on Steph will create open looks for his Splash Brother Klay. The depth of Strength in Numbers just got deeper by adding an All-Star to the lineup.
I won’t say the Dubs are now favorites to win the title, but they are contenders. I like the Dubs chances with Klay and Wiseman returning soon. Not a perfect roster (lacking big veteran center) but it is a really good roster with lots of flexibility in match-ups. Go Dubs!!!
I agree. Warriors need a experienced center that can defend Jokic, Giannis, Embid and others. I don’t believe they can be at the semifinals with Looney and Wiseman, but will be very very glad to be wrong
best news of the day. Klay never gave up and pushed himself hard through rehab. A lesser play might have given up. Can’t wait until seeing that first 3 go in tomorrow. Next up Wiseman gets back and they are ready for the playoffs.
Klay Thompson Announces Sunday Return
When I first glanced at the headline, I thought Klay Thompson was announcing his retirement.
lets gooooooooooooo
The Splash Brothers return
When they do that starting lineup the crowd is going to go nuts when Klay is announced !!! Standing O for 2 minutes !!
Can’t wait to see it going to be epic. Great starting lineup and good supporting bench this year.., plus the youth for the future. Warriors looking good right now.
If Steph gets a little rest and doesn’t play 35 minutes a night maybe they can make some noise in the playoffs? Their defense is there, they just have to be consistent with the offensive production outside of steph.
That’s asking a lot of Jordan Poole but if he settles down and gets in a groove of consistency they’ll be okay. Number one defense in the league, good rebounding, good shooting, then they’re going to be great.
Wait until he hits that first 3 pointer. that will be a long standing O.
Absolutely !!!! The crowd is going to go nuts, and I’m going to go nuts !!
Let’s go !!!!
Hurt by Monday
Um, you dont have to wait till Monday.., your feelings are already hurt.
Your roster is horrible because you don’t have an All-Star coming back without giving up anything around the trade deadline. Sorry about that.
Why not join the Warriors bandwagon, there’s plenty of room. It’s a good ride.., I’ve been on for 35 years.