The Golden State Warriors celebrated a 96-82 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 10, with the help of the three-time NBA champion Klay Thompson, who is back from a 31-month injury absence. Thompson was warmly welcomed on “Klay Day” at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

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 during his recovery. Almost three years after the incident, Thompson is back to the ball game with the GSW. He earned the first point of the game on their first possession, with a dunk at 2:56 minutes remaining in the first half. He drove past Cleveland center Jarrett Allen and took the ball home over two Cavs defenders. He also smashed the first of his three three-point shots before the half ended. “I was just happy to be out there doing what I love again,” Thompson told NBA TV. Fans were delighted at Thompson’s comeback, bursting a 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 NBA-GSW superstar, Stephen Curry, led the Warriors with 28 points.