'Devastating' Klay Thompson injury confirmed after Warriors' NBA Finals loss
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson was ruled out of Game 6 of the NBA Finals with a knee injury.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported after the game that he suffered a torn ACL.
Thompson was helped off the court in the third quarter after suffering the injury, but returned from the tunnel to shoot free throws.
Golden State’s Klay Thompson has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, his agent Greg Lawrence tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 14, 2019
He suffered the injury on an awkward landing on a dunk attempt he was fouled on.
Had he left the game without shooting free throws, he wouldn’t have been allowed to return.
Thompson made both free throws after his brief return and again left the game at the next stoppage in play.
Thompson was seen using crutches in the tunnel after being ruled out.
The Toronto Raptors went to to win the game, 114-110 and secure their first NBA championship.
It’s a devastating end to a brutal playoff run that also saw Kevin Durant suffer a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 5 as Golden State fell short of its hopes of a third straight NBA championship.
Fans, media react to ‘devastating’ news
Supporters of all teams were united in their dismay upon hearing of Thompson’s injury.
One half of the Warriors potent ‘Splash Brothers’ duo with co-star Steph Curry, Thompson’s aloof personality has made him one of the more popular figures throughout the league.
Thompson’s serious injury came right after teammate Kevin Durant tore his achilles just one game prior.
Speaking to media after the game, Warriors teammate Quinn Cook spoke of his sadness for his ‘selfless’ teammate.
"He puts his entire heart into our team. Just a selfless, team-first guy,” Cook said.
“He sacrificed his body to make a play. I just feel so bad for him.”
I’m very happy for Toronto and my Canadian brethren, but I’m so sad to see Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant go down the past few games with significant career-impacting injuries.
If this is the end of the Warriors dynastic team, it’s a sad way to go out. Respect to Klay and KD.— Jacob Wolf (@JacobWolf) June 14, 2019
Quinn Cook got a bit emotional talking about Klay Thompson's injury after the game.
"He puts his entire heart into our team. Just a selfless, team-first guy. He sacrificed his body to make a play. I just feel so bad for him." #Warriors pic.twitter.com/sjq5YwMeBn— Sam Hustis (@SamHustis) June 14, 2019
Damn man prayers up for @KlayThompson and @KDTrey5 for a healthy recovery!!! Hate to see ppl go out like that!!!
— Robert Covington (@Holla_At_Rob33) June 14, 2019
Asked Lacob about Klay earlier tonight, just before tipoff. His response: “I’m not allowed to say what we’re going to do…I will just say, I love Klay Thompson. We love Klay Thompson. We find it very difficult to see Klay Thompson in any other uniform.”
— Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) June 14, 2019
Klay Thompson walking back to the court from the tunnel with a torn ACL to take his free throws is like Kobe staying in the game to make a pair of free throws with a torn Achilles. That's the stuff of legends.
— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) June 14, 2019
Praying for the bro klay man praying for a speedy recovery!! God got you! 🙌🏿🙏🏿
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) June 14, 2019
Klay on crutches man...kills me. These injuries are some bullsh*t!!!
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) June 14, 2019
Damn Prayers up for both KD and now Klay!! 🙏🏾 Never want to see it happen in sports, but MAD RESPECT to them both for laying it all out 💯
— Tim Hardaway Jr (@T_HardJR) June 14, 2019
League-wide ripple effects as a result of injuries
Both Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant are unrestricted free agents this off-season, and their injuries will likely rock the rest of the league.
Durant was already being courted by at least four teams, while Thompson’s free agency was considered something of a wildcard.
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ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski said it without the superstar duo, the Warriors, widely considered to be the best team of the last decade, might even struggle to make the playoffs next without Thompson.
“Even if Warriors are able to keep Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant in free agency, it'll be a fight to reach playoffs in the Western Conference,” Wojnarowski tweeted.
“Thompson's ACL rehab could take him into February or March -- and Durant likely misses entire season.
“Devastating turn of events.”
Even if Warriors are able to keep Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant in free agency, it'll be a fight to reach playoffs in the Western Conference. Thompson's ACL rehab could take him into February or March -- and Durant likely misses entire season. Devastating turn of events. https://t.co/xKXayv9p34
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 14, 2019
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