'So depressing': NBA fans rocked by Warriors 'nightmare'
Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Klay Thompson will miss the entire NBA season after tearing his right Achilles tendon during a practice game in Southern California on Wednesday, the team confirmed on Thursday.
"Klay Thompson suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, an MRI confirmed today in Los Angeles," the Warriors said in a statement.
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"He is expected to miss the 2020-21 season."
The sharp shooting 30-year-old missed all of last season with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered during the Finals last year and the three-time NBA champion was poised for a big season alongside fellow "Splash Brother" Stephen Curry.
While Thompson's return to NBA action will have to wait, early indications suggest he will be able to fully heal.
There has been an outpouring of support for the well-liked Thompson from basketball community since news of the injury surfaced less than two hours before Wednesday night's NBA draft.
"Devastating loss," ESPN's NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith said in a video message on Twitter.
"My heart goes out to him. Good guy, one of the greatest shooters this game has ever seen," he said.
"Bad for him, bad for the league, bad for us not to see him out there. It's a damn shame."
Thompson heartbreak leaves fans devastated
Fans were also left shattered by the news, with many declaring Golden State’s prospects for another NBA championship as good as over.
Klay Thompson'S injury is a nightmare situation for him & the Warriors. Expectations were high and they've been dashed. I hope his recovery goes well and we see him on court in no time.
— Cyrus Rogers (@cyrusjrogers) November 19, 2020
Klay Thompson’s new Achilles injury is a disaster not only as a warriors fan but a NBA fan. This man don’t deserve this especially fighting through an ACL injury. 2020 man 😓
— Henry Onyema (@HOnyema) November 19, 2020
Klay Thompson with a torn achilles tendon, expected to miss the whole upcoming season 😭😭 My favourite teams are having a nightmare with all these injuries, it is so depressing! #GSW #klaythompson
— K Todorov (@KTodorov1) November 19, 2020
Since Game 2 of the 2019 Finals the Warriors have suffered:
•Kevon Looney broken collarbone
•Klay Thompson strained hamstring
•KD torn Achilles
•Klay Thompson torn ACL
•Steph Curry broken wrist
•Klay Thompson torn Achilles
Wake me up from this nightmare.— James (@tde_james) November 19, 2020
Sad news about Klay Thompson man...every athlete’s nightmare.
— . (@lekanakinwunmi) November 19, 2020
Klay Thompson out for the entire season after suffering an injury to his leg.
Devastating news for golden warriors.
Here's hoping klay gets well soon and gets back to his best. A joy to watch on the court— Mohammad Hamza (@Hamza_Kazi) November 19, 2020
Devastating news for Klay Thompson, who missed the entire 2019-20 season due to a torn ACL in his left leg. Brutal. #thompson #warriors #nba https://t.co/tJ18GUlYpE
— Miha Žakelj (@MihaZakelj) November 19, 2020
Prayers up for Klay Thompson. Devastating.
— Ogo Adegboye (@OgoAde) November 19, 2020
"Klay Thompson missing another year is devastating for the Warriors, the NBA and especially for Klay."
@Espngreeny on the recent news regarding @warriors guard Klay Thompson. #NBA | #WarriorsGround | #DubNation | #ESPNRadio pic.twitter.com/rx2UwIsuxv— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) November 19, 2020
After making the NBA Finals five years in a row, the Warriors posted the worst record in the league last season as Thompson and Curry were both sidelined by injuries.
"Prayers and empathy go out to @KlayThompson," wrote former Warriors great Rick Barry on Twitter.
"Having had injuries that kept me away from the game I know how devastating it can be emotionally. If anyone can get through this and come back, I'm sure it's Klay with his great work ethic."
Thompson was drafted by Golden State with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Washington State. The five-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion owns a career average of 19.5 points in 615 games over his eight NBA seasons. He has a career shooting percentage of 41.9 per cent from three-point range.
The NBA regular season gets underway on December 22.
with Yahoo Sport staff
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