The wait is over.
On Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Klay Thompson will make his long-awaited return to the court for the Golden State Warriors.
The 31-year-old shooting guard has missed the last two seasons with a knee and Achilles injury. The last time Thompson was on the floor was Golden State’s loss in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals. Sunday will mark the first time Thompson has suited up in his No. 11 Warriors jersey in 941 days.
While Thompson will add the presence and skill of a three-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star on the floor to a rotation that is already posting one of the top records in the Western Conference, there’s no doubt his return will stretch far beyond the basketball court.
With different personas like “Game Six Klay,” “China Klay” and “Splash Brother,” the legend of Thompson’s swagger carries a larger-than-life influence for many basketball fans, and especially members of “Dub Nation.”
Whether it’s appearing at San Francisco Giants games with rapper E-40 or sailing from Oakland to San Francisco on his boat, it’s clear Thompson has a connection with the Bay Area that runs deep.
To better understand the impact of his return to the court, Warriors Wire asked different basketball and Warriors fans on social media what his return will mean and what type of emotion they will be feeling on Sunday. Here is a look at some of the responses from fans and members of Dub Nation.
The post originally appeared on Warriors Wire. Follow Warriors Wire on Facebook and Twitter.