Full of strong emotions for Klay Thompson and the "Dub Nation".
After two and a half years away from the courts, a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of the knee and a ruptured Achilles tendon, the five-time All Star and three-time champion rearranged the game on Sunday, in an obviously crowded, electric Chase Center. and all acquired to his cause.
“
The end of the tunnel
” for this “
luminous warrior
”, this “
pure shooter who is also a complete player ”, as Jacques Monclar, consultant
beIN SPORTS
, explained to us
before the game.
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A match that the Warriors, second in the standings of the Western Conference (30v-9d), have also won against the Cavaliers (96-82). But the important thing was elsewhere. It was enough to see all the players of Golden State arrive in the room with the jersey of their teammate struck by the number 11 to understand that the night would be that of Thompson. “
I was nervous at first… I'm so grateful to be here. The warm-up, the video shown before the match, it was special. It is an evening that I will never forget. Thank you to the fans, it's incredible
, ”he savored, hot, in front of the
NBC
cameras .
From the warm-up, the public only had eyes for Mychal Thompson's son, who received a standing ovation when he entered the floor and warmly encouraged each basket converted.
Speaking of ovation, the one that Klay Thompson, headband and holder, received during the presentation of the five Dubs, was worth the detour ... Especially since the announcer called his name last.
The boards of the Chase Center, on which Klay Thompson had never played, trembled, the interested party remaining impassive, focused, before sketching a smile.
First shot, first success
The smile is all the Chase Center who had it after 20 seconds of play, when he scored his first two points since the 2019 NBA Finals (lost) against Toronto, a lay-up in traffic, on a pass from Wiggins, before missing four shots in a row, including three long-range attempts. “
It's an alchemy to find. We must reformat an important player, slip him into a collective without rushing the others. He might do excellent entry performances, then a little worse, or else he'll draw at the start and it'll go after ... It will take patience. All cases are possible
, ”predicted Monclar before this game which captured the attention of the entire NBA, with many reactions.
We will also underline the wink of fate by remembering that the idea of a trade between Kevin Love, present this Sunday at “Frisco” with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Klay Thompson had been mentioned in 2014. To l At the time, the first named was still playing in Minnesota. Ultimately, the Warriors preferred to keep their player. For the best...
Still, the man of the day still missed a shot, during his second pass, before slamming a huge dunk after a “crossover” of the most beautiful effect, just under three minutes before the break. With a little grimace as a bonus. “
When you dunk on two players after two years away, you have to do something (laughs). In truth, I don't know where it came from. I just did it. I'm happy, that's all (laughs)
, ”he laughed. Curry's eyes widened from the bench. The number 30 was on the other hand in the front row to attend the first triple signed Klay Thompson, lonely at 1'18 of halftime. The Cleveland defense had probably forgotten who they were dealing with by now ...
The opportunity to admire his perfect technique.
While his partner was doing the show with 18 points in the first period (51-46 MT), Thompson returned to the locker room with 7 points (3/9) and… three faults.
The last, in the last minute, enraged him.
Is right.
“
It was as I had imagined.
The audience was awesome.
He had a lot of energy
, ”said Curry.
Hot shot in the third quarter
And yet, the record-breaking three-pointers in the regular season hadn't seen anything yet. Klay Thompson warmed up after rest. A few errors here and there, but a complicated “fade-away”, another “jumper” which hit the mark and an increased in transition to allow the Warriors to take off (60-48). All while giving the change in defense, of course. Steve Kerr called him back to the bench, but the California machine was on. When he returned to business for the fourth and last time, the fate of the meeting was already sealed (83-65). Although, Rajon Rondo (15 pts) made the suspense last a little (85-75). Just a little bit. Klay Thompson still had the opportunity to tie the knot once from a distance (90-77) before returning to the bench, definitely this time, under the cheers of the crowd.Kevon Looney (6 pts, 18 rbs), Steph Curry (28 pts) and company just had to finish the job and pocket this 30th success (96-82 final score). "
We were not even clever (40.2% on shots, including 10/42 at 3 points, Editor's note). It shows how solid we were defensively.
"
Balance sheet? 17 points at 7/18 on shots, including 3/8 from distance, in 20 minutes. If it is a little dusty, it is logical, it had a real impact in this meeting. "
There are four or five missed shots that I should have returned
," he railed, demanding. "
But I'm happy to have the opportunity to say that
," he smiled immediately. “
The last two years have been complicated. It was good to convert my first shot. Obviously, the victory is the most important. It was an emotional evening. I didn't think I was going to dunk on two people tonight (laughs). (…) During my second visit, I relaxed, it was like a normal match
”, he added, confident for the future and“
happy
To come back to the other side of the fence and answer questions from those he helped out during his long period of unavailability.
Klay Thompson will have the opportunity to perfect his condition in the coming weeks, in order to arrive as fit as possible at the time of the play-offs. The program that awaits Golden State is not simple, however, with trips to Memphis, Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis, before seven games at home, including duels against Utah, Dallas and Brooklyn, in front of this audience who were so eager. to see the “Splash Brother” in action again. “
They are the best fans in the League. There was a standing ovation before the match, when I put my first shot too… The supporters, that's all. They have inspired me for the past two years. I thought about them every day. I am so happy to be back to do what I love ...
”, concluded Klay Thompson, whose happiness does nothas not finished radiating the NBA this season.