After missing 65 games for the Golden State Warriors in the 2019-20 season, Klay Thompson gave an inside look into his journey back to the court. The Golden State Warriors shooting guard released a six-minute short documentary detailing his ACL surgery rehab.
Along with Thompson’s partner Kaiser Permanente, the film was created by Translation, and directed by Floyd Russ with his creative production partner Tool of North America.
The documentary chronicles Thompson’s recovery from the moment he suffered his injury in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals. The five-time All-Star discusses his injury, the steps in his rehab and his thoughts on the future of the Golden State Warriors dynasty run.
Watch “Above The Waves” via YouTube:
After watching Above The Waves, here are three takeaways we learned from Thompson’s documentary.
Thompson felt “shift” in his knee
Before Thompson suffered his injury, the shooting guard was leading the way for Golden State in game six. The Washington State product ripped off 30 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field with four triples. Thompson added five rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes.
With under three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Thompson landed awkwardly after being fouled by Danny Green on a fast-break dunk attempt. In his documentary, Thompson described his injury as feeling a “shift” in his knee.
Via Above The Waves:
I felt my knee like shift, which I never felt before. I was frustrated, but I gave that game my heart. That series. That whole season.
Before the NBA went on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Golden State Warriors officially ruled Thompson out for the remainder of the season with the same knee injury he suffered in the 2019 Finals.
Thompson went through “psychological hurdles” during rehab
Throughout the documentary, Thompson is shown working with doctors and trainers in his knee rehab. However, according to Thompson, his work outside the gym has been a significant portion of his comeback tour.
Via Above The Waves:
It’s not just about getting your hours in the gym or your rehab. The psychological hurdles are probably the biggest things I needed to overcome. This isn’t an exact science, you know? It’s not a mathematical equation. It’s about being consistent and training the mind to be fearless. That’s what this year is giving me. It’s a recharging.
Although he was ruled out for the remainder of the year, Thompson was spotted going through non-contact drills on the floor at Warriors practice before the season was put on hold with 17 games remaining.
Thompson will have the entire offseason to continue building up confidence in his surgically repaired left knee.
Thompson ready to prove doubters wrong
Injuries to Thompson and Stephen Curry, plus the departure of Kevin Durant has had a significant impact on the Warriors championship run. After taking five consecutive trips to the Finals, the Warriors became the first team in the NBA to be officially eliminated from playoff contention in 2020.
Despite the Warriors league-worst record, Thompson isn’t ready to admit Golden State’s run is over.
Via Above The Waves:
It just kills me inside when I see these other teams, so many talking heads and some of my peers saying the dynasty is over, ‘they had a great run.’ I have so much more to give this game.
…
I’ll just be that eager to prove everyone wrong again. That’s a good fire to have. Harness it for motivation to come back even stronger. It just takes time.
Sitting at 15-50, the Golden State Warriors will have the opportunity to add a blue-chip prospect at the top of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Along with a rookie, and newcomers Andrew Wiggins and Eric Paschall, the Warriors core of Thompson, Curry and Draymond Green are all slated to be in Golden State’s lineup next year.
Thompson will have his chance at a revenge tour when the 2020-21 season kicks off.
