NBA Hoops

Why this NBA Finals means more to Warriors’ Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson

The Warriors playing into June seems like just another rite of spring. But when Klay Thompson takes the court for his sixth NBA Final, this one will feel different than the five that came before — and not just because he predicted it.

It’s because of the long, painful road the Warriors star had to take to get to Game 1 on Thursday against the Celtics at Chase Center in San Francisco. It was one paved with ACL and Achilles tears, after which he appreciates the journey even more.

“I think I’m definitely more reflective now, because, I mean, it can be taken away from you like that, one missed step or one bad jump,” Thompson said. “You know, back in the day, [it] just felt like work more. Just kind of programmed you to feel more robotic and just do your daily routines.

“But now I just try to find joy in every routine I do, whether that’s the drive to the arena, being on the training table. It’s such an awesome job to be an NBA player. I knew that before, but going through surgeries and rehab, putting a jersey on hits so much harder than it did back in the day.”

Klay Thompson
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It was taken away from Thompson, at least temporarily. And he had to earn it back through surgeries and sweat equity.

The Warriors were on the verge of a rare three-peat in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Raptors when they first lost Kevin Durant to a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 1, and then lost Thompson to a torn left ACL during Game 6.

That injury cost Thompson the entire 2019-20 campaign. Then, he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in November 2020, knocking him out for the rest of the 2020-21 and the beginning of this past season.

As Thompson spent the stretch run of the 2020-21 season rehabbing, Golden State found its footing in a 15-5 finish. It gave Stephen Curry sparks of hope the Warriors could jump back into contention once Thompson returned.

“It’s just a confidence in who we are, knowing…

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