“‘‘Man, I’ve been watching y’all for so long and been talking crazy, championship or bust'”

There have been 941 times amongst Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals and Klay Thompson’s return to the court versus the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021-22. The 4-time champion experienced two devastating injuries that led to a lot more than two decades of basketball inactivity.

On an episode of the “Level Forward” podcast, Thompson revealed to Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner what went via his head right before the video game.

Here’s what the 5-time All-Star had to say about that extended-awaited evening:

“That was the most anxious I’ve been for a basketball match, I believe ever. That was mad. That activity however presents me chills to this working day just ‘cause of the guide-off. I’ll by no means overlook the shootaround, Dray [Green], Loon [Looney], Steph [Curry], JP [Poole].

“I was like, ‘Man, I have been observing y’all for so lengthy and been speaking mad, championship or bust. I’m here to ultimately see it.’ Shoutout to Dub Nation, the supporters really showed so considerably appreciate.”

When Klay Thompson last performed in 2019, the NBA landscape was diverse. Kevin Durant was nevertheless his teammate, although Kawhi Leonard was the Toronto Raptors’ very best player. Russell Westbrook and Paul George ended up the largest names taking part in for the OKC Thunder.

When Thompson returned, KD was in Brooklyn, though Leonard and George had been now teammates enjoying for the LA Clippers. Westbrook has been traded three occasions because Thompson went down in the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Golden Point out Warriors by no means gave an formal return day for Thompson, holding the strain off him until eventually he was ready. Even so, the develop-up for “Klay Day” would quickly dominate the NBA as fans expected the return of 1 of the league’s most beloved players.

He’s back again 🤩Klay Thompson will return Sunday vs. the Cavaliers, he declared. https://t.co/qgqZBUhn0W

Rival groups and opponents would also be a part of Dub Nation for the unavoidable arrival of “Klay Day” in the NBA.

All eyes were on Chase Centre when the Golden Point out Warriors introduced that Thompson would return versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 9, 2022.

Following 941 times, “He’s backkk!” rang by means of the Warriors’ residence flooring, welcoming Thompson back again into the NBA.


Klay Thompson showed the Golden Point out Warriors what they had been missing in his 1st match again

Klay Thompson has now played in six straight NBA Finals.
Klay Thompson has now played in 6 straight NBA Finals.

The Golden Point out Warriors involved Klay Thompson early and frequently in the initially quarter.

The taking pictures guard drove into the lane from a phalanx of Cavaliers defenders and manufactured a floater. The basket shook Chase Heart to the core as fans erupted in cheers.

Klay Thompson floater on his 1st possession back https://t.co/PjLkzCqa8x

The highlight of the night time was Thompson’s rim-rattling dunk that formally declared his return to NBA motion. It was a dunk so surprising, specifically following all the accidents he had to go by, that supporters were shaking their heads in disbelief.

With Thompson’s return, the Bay Area team is now total. He was the piece that accomplished their Major 3, which incorporated Steph Curry and Draymond Green. It also intended difficulty for the rest of the NBA.

The Warriors have verified time and once again that they are approximately unbeatable when healthful. The previous time they missing when all three were enjoying was in the 2016 NBA Finals versus LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.


Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh