Klay Thompson walked into Tuesday’s game in the Bay Area, calling it “just another regular season game” that he wanted to win. But by the end of the game, he was filled with gratitude. And who could blame him? He’s human, after all.
The Warriors went all out to celebrate the legacy of one of their greatest players. Before the game, nearly 400 Warriors employees lined the tunnel at Chase Center to greet Thompson. After that, he received an incredible tribute video, which ended with thousands of fans waving “Captain Klay hats” in honor of his love for sailing and basketball.
Even during the game, some Warriors fans cheered loudly every time Thompson hit a three-pointer, and he finished with a game-high six.
The outpouring of love was overwhelming for Thompson. After the game, he thanked the fans who will always cherish him for leading them to four NBA titles and creating unforgettable memories.
“It was a really cool experience. I appreciate the fans very much,” Thompson said, according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “The captain’s hat ended up being a great touch because I’m such a passionate boater.
I saw a lot of familiar faces in the crowd, that was a warm-hearted feeling. It was really cool to see the fans send gratitude towards myself. It’s something I won’t ever take for granted. It was very awesome.”
Earlier in the press conference, the five-time All-Star mentioned it was “unexpected” to see so many Golden State employees greeting him with captain’s hats in the tunnel. He gave “kudos” to the organization for recognizing his contributions to the team.
Thompson’s comments suggested that his time with the Warriors may not have ended on the best terms. Multiple sources say he didn’t leave because of money but because he was frustrated with how he was used during the 2023-24 season.
Thompson came off the bench for the first time since his second year in the league and struggled to find his rhythm. His final game with the Warriors was one of his worst, going 0-for-10 from the field in a play-in loss to the Kings.
He ended up signing a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks, even though he could have made more money by staying with the Warriors, according to multiple insiders.
It’s possible the Warriors wanted to make up for how things ended. They may have also opened the door for Thompson, 34, to come back to the team before his career ends. Golden State has already retired his No. 11 jersey and plans to build a statue in his honor once he retires.
