Klay Thompson Opens Up About Somber Walk Off the Court After Potential Warriors Finale
Klay Thompson took a moment for himself Tuesday night shortly after the Golden State Warriors were eliminated by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA play-in tournament.
It was a rough outing for the 34-year-old, as he didn't score a single point and missed all 10 field-goal attempts across 32 minutes.
As teammates walked to head to the locker room at Golden 1 Center, Thompson stopped in his tracks and slowly spun in a full circle, looking around the arena and soaking up every last second of what could be his final game in a Warriors jersey.
Thompson, who has been with Golden State since he was the No. 11 pick in the 2011 NBA draft, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
So, what was going through his mind as he exited the court?
"First of all, disappointment because to not shoot the ball well, obviously, a big ole donut," Thompson told reporters Wednesday. "That wasn't very fun.
"I did look up in the nosebleeds though. And I did see a man wearing a No. 11 [Warriors] jersey. And that made me happy considering my history in Sacramento—from playing a state championship there to playing the Kings in the playoffs. That was kind of a full-circle moment for me."
As a senior, Thompson led Santa Margarita Catholic High School to a state championship in 2008. He nailed a state record seven three-pointers in that contest, which was played at the now defunct Arco Arena in Sacramento.
Sixteen years later, Thompson walked off a different court in California's capital city in what could be his final moments with the franchise he helped build into a dynasty. The Warriors have publicly expressed they want Thompson back—and he's said the same—but nothing is guaranteed in the business of basketball.
"That was actually a good moment, just seeing that Warriors fan standing by his lonesome up in the 300-level, repping No. 11," Thompson said. "That made me grateful."
