He is back.
After 941 days, Clay Thompson returned tonight (Sunday through Monday) to the floor in a 82-96 victory over Cleveland and reminded the entire basketball world and the NBA in particular how much he was missing.
In a video flooding social media, the Warriors' announcer is heard announcing the star: "He's back," in what has become one of the moments that will no doubt be remembered for a long time among basketball fans around the world.
"HE'S BAAAAACK!"
Klay Thompson is introduced for the first time at Chase Center.
pic.twitter.com/DlYjv6Svj3
- NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2022
"I did not enjoy a great shooting day, but I was so happy to see my name on the statistics pages," Thompson said at the end of the game, in which he scored 17 points.
"It was worth every moment. I am so grateful to just play and compete again."
Thompson also complimented the star next to him, Steph Kerry: "We have a great history together, he is a role model for me. He is one of the greatest ever and it is an honor for me to play with him."
When asked at the press conference how he felt about returning to the field, he replied: "Almost like the feeling that I won the championship."
Klay Day pic.twitter.com/6qVnN3Y6Cf
- Stephen Curry (@ StephenCurry30) January 9, 2022
KLAY THROWS IT DOWN.
OH MY.
pic.twitter.com/7EvT1zrAAH
- Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 10, 2022
"It was a very special moment I will never forget."
- Klay Thompson 🥺👏 pic.twitter.com/ixc3MAnUag
- 95.7 The Game (@ 957thegame) January 10, 2022
Canon Curry gave Klay Thompson the game ball 👏
(🎥 @warriors) pic.twitter.com/XLwWD28xeD
- 95.7 The Game (@ 957thegame) January 10, 2022
The roar for Klay Thompson during starting line up introductions is so loud that you can barely hear his name being announced.
pic.twitter.com/clYZKvblIV
- Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 10, 2022
The game missed Klay.
Happy to have you back champ!
https://t.co/285jvOxlwc
- Jayson Tatum (@ jaytatum0) January 10, 2022
Klay Thompson says the feeling of playing tonight was "pretty freakin 'close" to that of winning a championship.
His full reaction on the return: pic.twitter.com/JX0vImmWqs
- Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 10, 2022 Wrong?
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