SAN FRANCISCO — The basketball world lit up when Klay Thompson made his long-awaited return to game action in the Warriors’ 96-82 win agains the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.
After 941 days rehabbing from two major injuries — a torn ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals coupled with an achilles tear weeks before he was set to make his return again — Thompson reintroduced himself with bang. He scored 17 points in 20 minutes with three three-pointers, including a poster dunk that brought his journey full circle.
The Warriors’ celebration began as soon as Thompson announced his return with a Space Jam movie-inspired clip posted on his social media accounts. Steph Curry, who lit up for 28 points and four three-pointers in Monday’s win, asked fans on social media to post their favorite Thompson moments in anticipation of “Klay Day.”
Monday afternoon pre-game, all Thompson’s teammates arrived to Chase Center wearing a Thompson No. 11 jersey. Curry warmed up still wearing his Thompson jersey.
The whole Warriors team pulled up in Klay Thompson jerseys 🔥
📸: @warriors pic.twitter.com/joC5WaQe57
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 9, 2022
Once the game started, NBA players from around the league chimed in to share how Thompson’s return made them feel.
LeBron James Tweeted a flurry of flame emojis in response to someone excited for his return.
📠📠📠📠📠📠📠📠🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/BQdVkfcuHX
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 9, 2022
Retired NBA champion Dwyane Wade tweeted: “Good morning!!! Today is Klay Day! Welcome back @KlayThompson.”
Good Morning!!!! Today is Klay Day! Welcome back @KlayThompson
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 9, 2022
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Patrick Beverley, a thorn in the Warriors’ side for years, tweeted: “The Game has missed @KlayThompson glad u back gang.”
The Game 🏀🏀 has missed @KlayThompson glad u back gang.
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) January 9, 2022
Retired player and 2016 NBA champion with the Cavaliers Channing Frye tweeted: “I’ve seen hundreds of players come back but I’ll say personally ‘I almost shed a tear for Klay and his journey.”
I’ve seen hundreds of players come back but I’ll say Personally “ I almost shed a tear for Klay and his journey”. Welcome back 77. https://t.co/J9Noy0VCh4
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) January 10, 2022
Three-time sixth-man of the year Jamal Crawford added tweeted: “So dope seeing Klay back on the court!”
So dope seeing Klay back on the court! 🙌🏾
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 10, 2022
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum tweeted: “The game missed Klay. Happy to have you back champ!”
The game missed Klay. Happy to have you back champ! https://t.co/285jvOxlwc
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) January 10, 2022
Source: www.mercurynews.com