Klay Thompson talked about his injury for the first time since he tore his ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Thompson described the injury as “obviously the most tragic part of sports,” but he was humbled when the Warriors offered him a five-year max deal this summer.
“I knew I did something. But I’ve never had the severity of an ACL injury or an injury that bad,” Thompson told ESPN. “So me, personally, I didn’t think it was that bad, initially. My adrenaline was so high being Game 6, whatever. I thought I sprained my knee; that’s all I thought it was. But when I went back to the locker room, it swelled up a lot, didn’t feel right. It’s just not a good feeling when you feel helpless and the team’s out there competing.”
The 29-year-old tore his ACL after landing hard on a breakaway dunk attempt in the third quarter of Game 6. The Warriors were up by three points at that moment, but the Raptors went on to get a 114-110 win to clinch the title. The severity of the injury means Thompson will likely miss multiple months and he might not get back to the court until after the All-Star break.
“I’ve heard varying opinions about, especially medically, I don’t want to rush it ’cause I want to play until I’m 38, 39, 40 years old,” Thompson said. “That’s my plan, especially because the way I can shoot the ball. I would love to see the floor this season. I don’t know when that is.”
Klay Thompson rehabbing after ACL reconstruction surgery with his loyal steed, Rocco helping out. (Via isthatlojack/IG) pic.twitter.com/L3BSwHcFF4
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) July 27, 2019
“So it was humbling, but the Warriors showed their loyalty and their respect for me, offering me that five-year deal,” Thomson said of his new $190 million contract. “Jumped on that as soon as I could, just because the history with this team and the franchise it would be so hard to leave. And the feeling of, you know, unfinished business, getting that close in the Finals, or to the fourth championship — tasting it — just being out of reach.”
