The Golden State Warriors caroused “Klay Day” with a 96-82 coup over the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 10, with the help of the three-time NBA champion Klay Thompson’s return from a 31-month injury absence. Thompson was welcomed rapturously at Chase Center in San Francisco on his first game in the arena.

On June 13, 2019, Thompson tore his left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament in game six of the NBA Finals, before tearing his right Achilles tendon in the course of his recovery. Almost three years after his absence, Thompson bagged the Warriors’ first score of the game on their first possession, ejecting any doubt that he was back with an immense dunk with 2:56 remaining in the first half. He drove past Cleveland center Jarrett Allen and slammed the ball home over two Cavs defenders. He also smashed the first of his three three-point shots before the half ended. Klay obtained 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting, snatched three rebounds, and warded off a shot as the Warriors flared up a two-game rage and advanced to 30-9 — following Phoenix Suns’ best record in the league. “I was just happy to be out there doing what I love again,” Thompson told NBA TV. “Getting my rhythm back, it feels really good.” Fans were delighted at Thompson’s comeback, bursting a deafening roar when he was being introduced before the game. “The ovation to start the game, I just am so grateful for these fans. It was special,” Klay said. Meanwhile, another GSW superstar, Stephen Curry, led the Warriors with 28 points.