Klay Thompson returns to cheers from nearly 400 Warriors staff

SAN FRANCISCO – Klay Thompson stepped off the team bus and was all smiles as he headed back to Chase Center on Tuesday night. was greeted with cheers by approximately 400 Warriors employees They lined up on their way to the Dallas locker room to show their love and appreciation for the former Golden State star.

Fans wore “Captain Klay” hats as the night celebrated, remembering Thompson’s 13 years with the team, two of which he spent injured, and the four championships he helped win there.

Thompson stated that he was looking forward to the match and said, “I think this is a good thing for the fans, so congratulations to them.”

“Of course it would be nice to see people you get along with. To me, this is just another regular season game in November. Obviously the NBA Cup has bigger implications. So the thing on our mind and mine is to win this because I haven’t been a part of it yet. “I know you’re young, but it will be fun to play for this championship.”

The Warriors invited their entire staff to be part of the welcoming committee for Thompson, who joined Dallas in July on a three-year, $50 million contract. Thompson, 34, missed more than 2.5 years (the entire 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons) to recover from surgeries on his left knee and right Achilles tendon before making a comeback in January 2022.

Thompson tried to downplay the magnitude of the moment, but it’s sure to be emotional for everyone involved.

“I’ve been doing this a long time and basketball is basketball,” Thompson said.

Golden State planned a “Salute to Captain Klay” ceremony before tipoff to commemorate Thompson’s contributions to the franchise and his tradition of boating across the bay to games.

“This is all personnel. It’s incredible,” said Warriors President and COO Brandon Schneider. “What Klay has meant to our organization and to all of us over the last 13 years, his team accomplishments, his individual accomplishments, who he is as a person, what he’s done in the community, this is a special night.”

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