Scoreboard
Nets 121, Spurs 119 (OT)
Clippers 106, Hawks 93
Wizards 102, Magic 100
Raptors 105, Pelicans 101
Timberwolves 141, Rockets 123
Nuggets 99, Thunder 95
Mavericks 113, Bulls 99
Warriors 96, Cavaliers 82
Trail Blazers 103, Kings 88
Grizzlies 127, Lakers 119
What went down
Happy #KlayDay!
After more than two years – 941 days, to be exact – Klay Thompson is back. The other half of Golden State’s Splash Brothers finally returned to the court against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The last time we saw him play was in the 2019 NBA Finals. He’s had two major injuries and underwent a ton of rehab while he’s out. Remember him being on the bench, his eyes visibly missing the game, as the Warriors were slowly becoming the Warriors again?
On the day of his return, Thompson finished with 17 points as the Warriors trumped the Cavaliers, 96-82.
The crossover.
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2022
The dunk in traffic.
The reaction.
🏀 is more fun with Klay Thompson playing it. pic.twitter.com/WaeuwYL0fc
A bunch of other things happened today – the Mavericks stopping the Bulls’ nine-game winning streak, Luka Doncic notching a triple-double, the Nets outlasting the Spurs in overtime, Kyle Kuzma getting 27 points and 22 rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns and his 40-point game, Ja Morant continuing to reveal that he’s out of this world with an insane two-handed block plus a booming dunk, the Grizzlies winning their ninth straight game – but today is all about Klay Thompson’s long-awaited comeback.
Big-time baller
Thompson’s return had everything you want to see in a highly anticipated home game. You got the emotions running from the moment he went out of the tunnel for warmups, the goosebumps from the introduction of the starting lineup, the fans going nuts as they see their beloved star back on the floor, plus NBA social media lighting up.
And of course, the shots were going down for him too. Klay drove for his first basket, delivered a jump-out-of-your-seat dunk, and had that third-quarter stretch where he hit three shots in a row.
His final line was 17 points, 7-for-18 from the field, three 3s, three rebounds, one assist, and one block in 20 minutes. Not bad for someone who was out for two and a half years.
What he said
Thompson’s comeback had everyone in the basketball world buzzing. From Steph Curry, Draymond Green, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Isiah Thomas, Sue Bird, and many others, everyone went to social media to join in on #KlayDay. It was a historic day on NBA Twitter when everyone was just simply glad he was back in action.
Hear from the man himself:
"It was special. I'll never forget this night."@klaythompson stops by to talk to @Dennis3DScott after his season debut. #CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/S3Akcr3Qzb
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 10, 2022
Did you see that?
Klay had a lot of highlights but this first basket must have felt extra special.
KLAY THOMPSON KNOCKS DOWN HIS FIRST SHOT ATTEMPT IN OVER 2 YEARS! pic.twitter.com/Lwc3pIpm2J
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2022
