Klay Thompson is back!
After missing the past two and a half years with ACL and Achilles tendon injuries, the five-time Warriors All-Star took to Instagram to announce that he will be back in action when Golden State host the Cavaliers on Sunday. January 9th. It will be his first NBA action since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 13, 2019, marking 941 days between appearances.
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Naturally, Thompson announced his return in a way that only he can, sharing a clip of Michael Jordan and Bill Murray from the original movie “Space Jam.”
See this post on Instagram
“How will I stop at Chase (Center) tomorrow, Bill Murray is my spirit animal,” Thompson wrote in the caption. “I’M SO EXCITED TO SEE THE WHOLE DUBNATION! LET’S GET IT!”
MORE: How Good Can Klay Be After Achilles Injury?
The clip shows Murray coming in to spell out the Tune Squad at the end of the movie, telling Jordan and the Looney Tunes that he could possibly “be of some help”.
Following Thompson’s announcement, the Warriors made it official.
Five-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion Klay Thompson will be available to play in tomorrow night’s game against Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/7c9NVBcTnK
– Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) January 8, 2023
With Thompson’s return, the rich get richer as the Warriors own the second-best record in the league at 29-9 in his absence. Thompson’s outfield partner Stephen Curry has been playing at an MVP level, Draymond Green has made efforts worthy of Defensive Player of the Year and other wings like Jordan Poole, Otto Porter Jr. and Andrew Wiggins have stepped up on your absence.
MORE: Does Thompson’s Return Make Warriors The Title Favorite?
The Warriors’ status as legitimate title contenders may allow them to put Thompson into action after increasing their participation in practices.
Golden State hosts Cleveland on Sunday, January 9 at 8:30 pm ET on NBA TV.
Warriors Calendar 2023-22
Date | Adversary | Time (ET) | national television |
January 9th | against knights | 8:30 pm | NBA television |
January 11 | in Grizzlies | 8:00 pm | NBA television |
January 13th | in dollars | 7:30 pm | TNT |
January 14 | in bulls | 7:30 pm | ESPN |
January 16 | in the timber wolves | 8:00 pm | – |