After two major injuries, and over two years away from the NBA, Klay Thompson reminded the world what he could do tonight.
Amid a rough stretch for the team, and a cold shooting night for Steph Curry, the star sharpshooter gave another signature performance, dropping 38 points and 6 rebounds on 8 3-pointers in the 122-109 victory.
Unsurprisingly, NBA Twitter was lighting up with reactions from the fans and media.
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1502837323515453442
Have a night, @KlayThompson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UD86mB5kx4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 13, 2022
Klay Thompson erupts for 38 PTS and 8 3PT
The rest of the NBA: pic.twitter.com/G4SXvO5nE3
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) March 13, 2022
Klay and Draymond lmao https://t.co/TQE4BKA3em
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) March 13, 2022
Two major injuries, 941 days away….Klay Thompson drops 38 points against the defending champs in only his 22nd game back. Amazing.
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) March 13, 2022
Klay Thompson right now pic.twitter.com/o1Crv7whBi
— Overtime (@overtime) March 13, 2022
KLAY THOMPSON.
That’s it. That’s the tweet.
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 13, 2022
So good to see Klay catch fire. That’s the Klay we know and love. They really said he’s not top 75. We not watching the same game old heads. Get a grip.
— UnderDawg!!! (@youngballer80) March 13, 2022
If this the Klay Thompson folks gone have to see in the offs it’s gonna be SCCCAAARRRYYYY
— THE ROYAL CHIEF (@TheRoyalChief) March 13, 2022
Klay had to fight for his return to the court, and nobody was sure if he’d ever be the same player again. While the jury is still out on just what he has left in the tank, he proved tonight that he is still capable of pulling off some huge performances — which is why, by the end of the night, he got a standing ovation from the crowd.
Klay Thompson against the Bucks.
◽️38 points (season-high)
◽️ 8 threes (season-high)
◽️ 1 standing ovation
🎥 @NBA | @KlayThompsonpic.twitter.com/NCvI72w0f6
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 13, 2022
There is no denying the strangeness of Thompson’s situation. Despite being a 5x All-Star and 3x Champion, he had something to prove upon his return.
The NBA, and the Warriors, were different than when he left it. Still, it seems he never had any doubts.
“I know myself,” said Klay ahead of his debut. “I know how good I am. I know the things I’ve done. … It’s like — how many times do I have to do something that no one else has ever done before and get respect? Do I have to go score 50 in a quarter now? Like, what the hell? It’s whatever though, man. It’s over with. I’m going to use it as fuel.”
Despite some recent struggles, the Warriors are in a pretty good position overall. They are 3rd in the Conference with a 45-22 record. Steph Curry is still doing his thing, Klay is finding his rhythm, and Draymond Green is close to his return.
Before too long, we will all find out just how they stack up against the rest of the West.
In the meantime, we will enjoy nights like these when they come around, even if it’s not as often as it used to be.
