Klay Thompson is BACK!
It had been 941 days since Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson last played in an NBA game, since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
MORE: Does Klay Thompson’s return make the Warriors consensus title favorites?
After a long period on the sidelines, Thompson dressed for the Warriors at the Chase Center against the Cleveland Cavaliers and immediately felt the love of Bay Area fans. After a nervous start to the game, despite scoring the Dubs’ first basket of the night, Thompson slowly began to look more like him.
He finished with 17 points in 20 minutes on the night, including some signature 3s and a drive-and-slam through traffic to remind people he was on the way back.
Golden State won, 96-82, and went to 30-9 on the season. They have a tough four-game road trip ahead with games in Memphis, Milwaukee, Chicago and Minnesota.
The Sporting News has you covered with all the live updates, scores, stats and highlights of Klay’s return:
Warriors vs. Cavaliers live updates, highlights, stats
one | two | 3 | 4 | FINAL | |
Warriors | 24 | 27 | 28 | 17 | 96 |
gentlemen | twenty-one | 25 | 14 | 22 | 82 |
FINAL: Warriors 96, Cavaliers 82
Steph Curry 28 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Klay Thompson 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Lamar Stevens 17 points, 4 rebounds
Rajon Rondo 15 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds
22:40: That’s a San Fran warp. Dubs win 96-82
DOUBLES WIN pic.twitter.com/MlPSLbCMEC
– Warriors of the Golden State (@guerreros) January 10, 2023
22:38: Standing O for Klay when he left the game
Klay gets a standing O after exiting the game ๐ pic.twitter.com/1eDjO8zGiW
– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 10, 2023
22:34 : Klay Thompson exits the game. 17 points for Klay on 18 shots in 20 minutes. He’s going to get shot no matter what!
22:20: Klay returns to the game
End of Third Quarter
22:11 : SPLASH BROS FELXIN ‘
The Splash brothers stay flexin ‘
๐บ @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/cmXaA8WGA6
– Warriors of the Golden State (@guerreros) January 10, 2023
22:07: 19-3 run for the Warriors and they have their biggest advantage of the game: 79-55.
21:56: Like old times. Steph and Klay have 32 of the Warriors’ 60 points
21:54: It’s 1,800 career triples for Klay
1,800 RACE TREYS FOR KLAY
๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ฃ pic.twitter.com/kIPVUWHn7c
– Warriors of the Golden State (@guerreros) January 10, 2023
21:51 : The nerves that Klay may have had in the first half are gone. Seven quick points to start third and the Cavs call a timeout.
YOU ARE NOT ENTERTAINED โ๏ธ#KlayThompson || #NBAAllStar
๐บ @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/lLrbR3EPnh
– Warriors of the Golden State (@guerreros) January 10, 2023
21:49 : Much love to Klay from all over the league tonight.
Glad to see you back out there @KlayThompson
-Langston Galloway (@ LangGalloway10) January 10, 2023
KLAYYYYY
– Immanuel Jaylen Quickley (@IQ_GodSon) January 10, 2023
So great to see Klay back on the court! ๐๐พ
– ๐ Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 10, 2023
Half time: Warriors 51, Cavaliers 46
Steph Curry 18 points, 3 rebounds
Klay Thompson 7 points
Lamar Stevens 13 points, 2 rebounds
Jarrett Allen 7 points, 4 rebounds
21:28: Okay, Klay is ALL the way back now.
KLAY THOMPSON POSTER ๐ณ pic.twitter.com/ftqo1DVe3W
– NBA Television (@NBATV) January 10, 2023
21:24: Klay Thompson returns for the first time since the first quarter.
21:22: Steph Curry is 4 of 6 from 3 point range, the rest of the Warriors? A ridiculous 1 of 16.
21:14: ALWAYS box the shooter!
Always follow your shot ๐
๐บ @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/x8FVLHic5s
– Warriors of the Golden State (@guerreros) January 10, 2023
21:07: Kevin Love opens the second quarter scoring.
First Quarter Finals: Warriors 24, Cavaliers 21
Steph Curry 14 points, 2 rebounds
Klay Thompson 2 points
Jarrett Allen 7 points, 2 rebounds
Darius Garland 6 points, 1 assist
8:55 pm : Steph Curry is 4 of 4 from deep. 11-0 run by the Dubs. They led 22-15. Time is over.
With his Splash Brother back … Steph Curry is COOKING early!
4-4 3PM … Free broadcast on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/g0e2Fa8IAf
– NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2023
20:51: It’s not just fans happy to see Klay back.
I get goose bumps when I see Klay !!
– Jamal Murray (@ BeMore27) January 10, 2023
Welcome back!!! @KlayThompson
– Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 10, 2023
Good to see you back brother !! @KlayThompson
โKeef Morris (@Keefmorris) January 10, 2023
20:49: Klay Thompson exits the game for the first time to rest. Head coach Steve Kerr will be monitoring Thompson’s minutes.
20:46: Steph knocks down another triple. That’s 161 games in a row with three facts breaking, well, their own record.
20:42: We have a warning and immediately Klay Thompson has made an impact! The first cube back is in the books!
Klay Thompson float on his first possession back pic.twitter.com/PjLkzCqa8x
โAnthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 10, 2023
before the game
HE IS BACK KKKKKKKK
Introducing Klay Thompson pic.twitter.com/ZMuqEmP9vn
โAnthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 10, 2023
Big applause for Klayas warms up. Who else has the strange feeling that the ceiling will blow away when they present it later?
Klay Thompson getting loose for his season debut ๐
๐ฅ: @NBCSWarriors pic.twitter.com/p4yb1d8UlU
– USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) January 10, 2023
Klay is on the court for the warm-up!
Klay has arrived for his debut at the Chase Center ๐คฉ
WARRIORS / CAVS at 8:30 pm ET
Stream with NBA TV โข Free Trial pic.twitter.com/3U3Mg4uU1R– NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2023
Steph Curry warms up with his Splash Brother’s shirt
Steph warms up in her Splash Brother t-shirt!#KlayDay
๐: GSW / CLE, 8:30 pm / ET
๐บ: Stream with NBA TV โข Free Trial pic.twitter.com/a06ftwTlD6– NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2023
The Dubs rookies are ready for Klay’s return
The @Warriors towers reppin ‘for #KlayDay!
๐: CAVS / WARRIORS
๐ฃ: 8:30 pm / ET ๐บ: NBA TV @mosesmoody @ JonathanKuming6 pic.twitter.com/9eSpxGqOjz– NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2023
Before kickoff, relive some of Klay’s best moments
Before I go back to the @Warriors lineup TONIGHT at @NBATV… we show some of @klaythompsonTHE BEST MOMENTS! pic.twitter.com/vK4gxdnu4I
– NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2023
Thompson has arrived for Klay Day!
Ladies and gentlemen: Klay pic.twitter.com/hfkt79S1fe
– Warriors of the Golden State (@guerreros) January 9, 2023
Draymond Green welcomes his running mate.
“You earned this moment.”@ Money23Green to @KlayThompson pic.twitter.com/RS5lhFNjgR
– Warriors of the Golden State (@guerreros) January 9, 2023
How to watch Warriors vs Cavaliers
- Date: Sunday, January 9
- Hour: 8:30 pm ET
- Television channel: NBA television
- Live broadcast: sling television