NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 12, 2022

Klay Thompson

Golden State Warriors

Practice Day

Q. Tomorrow is the three-year anniversary of Game 6 against Toronto, your ACL injury and elimination. Wonder if you can offer perspective on what that day was like for you, and to be here three years later in critical Game 5 and playing at a high level again.

KLAY THOMPSON: Well, there's a lot of emotions that day. We came real close to having another opportunity to three-peat, which hasn't been done since Shaq and Kobe.

When I hurt my knee, it was kind of unchartered territory for me because I had been able to be consistently present in the lineup my whole career. So I had to kind of realign my whole train of thought with the months coming up. I knew I had a lot of training ahead, and it was actually hard because I didn't really get a break. Usually, after such a long season, you get a nice summer break. I had to go straight into rehab, and it was kind of a long cycle after that, a couple years.

Now to be here again, I wouldn't change anything. I'm very grateful and everything I did to that point led to this, so I would not change a thing.

Q. Your team talks a lot about playing with necessary force, some games better than others. As a player, early in the game how do you know if you're playing with that right force, and if not, what do you do to correct it?

KLAY THOMPSON: Well, to correct it, that's what the coaching staff is for. They let you know in a very emphatic way. And how do you know? Well, it's hard to know until you watch the film after, but a good indicator when you're out there is just not letting them get layups or easy, wide-open looks in the beginning. But making them work to score, that usually means that we are locked in.

Q. This is your sixth straight Finals. How much is this routine for you, and how much of this is, I'm playing at the Finals and playing for a championship?

KLAY THOMPSON: Seems routine, but I just know how special this is. I mean, I'm trying to just be present in everything I do during this time, even this interview, and not look ahead. Not even looking ahead to tomorrow, but just enjoy this day before the big one tomorrow.

I mean, NBA Finals is such a cool thing to be a part of. I remember being in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2013 doing some stuff with the NBA and waking up early to watch it, 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. To realize that these games are broadcast worldwide, it just reminds you how special it really is.

I know when my dad played back in the day, the NBA was not as global. To be here now and talking to you, from Italy, or a reporter from China or somebody from Brazil, it's special.

Q. After you injured your knee, you were in the hallway. It looked like you were trying to figure out a way to will yourself back out onto the court, and you looked like you wanted to keep playing. What was going through your mind, and how was it that you finally realized that, okay, this is not going to work and you can't get back out there?

KLAY THOMPSON: I never had such a severe injury, so I didn't think it was that serious. I thought I might have sprained something in my knee. But you know, when you're in the championship and you're playing in front of our fans, your adrenaline is so high that you kind of disregard anything that makes sense, and running around on a torn ACL doesn't make very good sense.

I just thought, I don't want to leave these points on the board, man. This is the Finals. I'm going to go get this 30-ball.

Then on top of that, I went to the back and they did a little test and they came out with the conclusion that I should probably put some crutches on.

And, wow, what a time. Three years ago. That -- wow. It just goes by fast.

Q. In the aftermath of Game 4 on social media, there was a lot of praise for Steph Curry from Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Seems like they have grown to respect him more or admire him more. Have you seen that from your peers in the past four or five years, as opposed to when you guys first got going, that there's an admiration for what you guys do?

KLAY THOMPSON: Yes, I guess. We're still here. We're knocking on the door of another championship. Hopefully that gains respect amongst the greats who played because they know how hard it is to get here year after year. It takes a great toll on your body and even on your mind. It takes a lot of mental fortitude to stay hungry and want more and more after so much success. Steph is the embodiment of that. He continues to mesmerize the world with his talent.

Q. Along those lines, I was going to ask you what did you learn watching Steph during your time rehabbing, and maybe other things you've learned from being back alongside him now after having that perspective, and just how amazing he is year after year?

KLAY THOMPSON: I learned that he's one of the greatest to ever play. I learned that he can do anything with the basketball in his hands, especially when it pertains to shooting the ball.

Q. Did you know or make the connection that tomorrow would be the three-year anniversary?

KLAY THOMPSON: No, I did not.

Q. Do you anticipate taking a special moment just to appreciate how far you've come over these last three years and how hard it's been for you?

KLAY THOMPSON: Maybe for a second. But when I step on that court, I want to win by any means necessary. I don't care how ugly or pretty it is. Let's just win and protect our home court. I'm not going to sing Kumbaya or anything. I just want to frigging win.