Klay Thompson, seen with a hiking boot for the first time since undergoing torn Achilles tendon surgery in November, told fans in a year-end message that he and the Warriors have “a lot of basketball ahead of them”.
Thompson wished fans were in 2021 in a video posted on Anta Sports’ Instagram page. The 30-year-old has been signed with the Chinese shoe brand since 2014.
“I miss you and, unfortunately, with the circumstances of 2020, I was not able to make the KT tour happen,” said Thompson in the video posted on New Year’s Eve, sitting next to his bulldog Rocco. “But, hopefully, in the near future, it will happen and I will be 100 percent healthy, after my complete Achilles recovery. 2020 was also difficult for me, suffering another injury that happened while I did what I love, playing the I love basketball and, unfortunately, I can’t play this year.
“But you gave me so much love and inspiration for that video that you made me. Achieving it really meant a lot. It made me very emotional, especially in the post-op, and it inspires me to continue, which I will. There is a lot of basketball wonderful ahead, not only for me, but for the Warriors and championships to be disputed [for] and hopefully won. And with that, I would like to say goodbye to 2020, and we are very receptive to 2021 for some new and new beginnings. “
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Hours before the Warriors chose former Memphis center James Wiseman in the 2020 NBA Draft, Thompson suffered a rupture in the Achilles tendon while playing basketball while preparing for the start of the NBA season. Thompson lost the entire 2019-20 campaign by recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in game 6 of the 2019 NBA finals.
Although Thompson was not physically with the Warriors, his presence was felt. He texted coach Steve Kerr during the loss of the Golden State debut to Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, and Kerr cited Thompson’s own downfalls to give Kelly Oubre Jr. hope of breaking his. The Warriors are hopeful that Thompson will be around the team once again that he can really begin his rehab.
“It is important for all of us, as well as for Klay himself, that he be around this season,” Kerr told reporters ahead of Friday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers (Connor Letourneau of h / t San Francisco Chronicle) . “Because of last year’s absence and the pandemic, and just all the bizarre year and a half it’s been for him and our franchise, I would love to have you here as much as possible.”
This sounds like the new start that Thompson is waiting for.