Klay Thompson dropped 17 points in 20 minutes as the Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-82. This does not seem all that special until you realize this is the 5-Time NBA-All Star’s first game in two and a half years. The Warriors fans were going wild all night as Klay Thompson had the best welcome back introduction ever from the Warriors and had a pretty good game compared to other stars returning from injury. Klay only shot 7-18 from the field with 3-8 three points made, but it was really cool just to see him back. Klay Thompson also made the best statement, claiming he’s back with a ridiculous poster dunk over multiple players. (See Picture).
It was the 2019 NBA finals, with the Warriors trailing 3-2 on the series against the Toronto Raptors and on the verge of elimination. The Warriors already were without one of their best players in Kevin Durant, who suffered a ruptured achilles. The Raptors turned the ball over, and the ball was passed to Klay Thompson’s hands, and it looked like an easy dunk for two. But Toronto guard Danny Green contested late, and Thompson landed awkwardly, tearing his ACL. The Raptors won that game, and Klay Thompson was ruled out for the entire 2019-2020 season.
The 2020-2021 season was approaching. Everyone on the Warriors was looking forward to Klay Thompson on the court after a disappointing, injury-filled season in which the Warriors missed the playoffs after being in the Finals 5 times in a row. But then disaster struck again, when Klay Thompson tore his Achilles and was ruled for the entire next season. The Warriors were devastated and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. People called the dynasty off.
The 2021-2022 season brought joy to Golden State once more. Klay didn't get hurt again, and the Warriors were thriving without Klay, due to the players stepping up their game. Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins are playing their best basketball ever, and bench players like Otto Porter or Andre Iguodala are holding the fort at the bench. The Warriors are first in the West, and the Warriors are also going to get a probable future All-Star, Center James Wiseman, from injury later this season. So Klay will make them legit title contenders. Things are going to get wet.
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