Miami Heat guard Klay Thompson got emotional while recalling how Giannis Antetokounmpo congratulated him after a standout comeback performance, saying the gesture changed how he viewed the superstar and makes becoming teammates even more meaningful.
Klay Thompson shared an emotional story about his new star teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo as both enter a new chapter of their careers with the Miami Heat.
Position
SG, SF
Age
36
Height
196 cm
Weight
100 kg
Birth place
Los Angeles, United States of America
Thompson recalled his interaction with Giannis after returning from two-and-a-half years away due to brutal injuries, highlighting an often-overlooked side of Antetokounmpo’s character.
“I got a Giannis story for you. The year I came back from two-and-a-half years off injury, we played the Bucks. I had a great game. I had 38,” Thompson began telling his story in an interview with The Athletic.
“This is a testament to his humility. (That game) made me feel like I could be a great player again. After the game, he walked from the opposing bench all the way down to our bench just to tell me how happy he was for me.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix
“I don’t want to get emotional, but that meant a lot to me,” Thompson said. “To be one of the 75 best players ever and not to be bitter in a moment where your team loses, and I have a great game and to just give me those props, that made me look at him in a different light.”
“Like, man, this guy is genuinely a great human being, and that really meant a lot to me when he gave me props for coming back from what I did. So now, to be his teammate is just awesome,” he added.
Thompson signs with Miami after Mavs buyout exit
Klay Thompson is headed to Miami after securing a split with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks agreed to a contract buyout with the former NBA star, who was set to earn $17.5 million in the final season of his three-year, $50 million contract with the franchise.
Thompson expressed a desire to play for a contender, and Dallas decided to let him go after failing to find a trade partner this offseason.
Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes last season, shooting 38.3% from three in 69 games.
While he is no longer the lethal two-way force of his Golden State Warriors days, he remains highly productive and capable of contributing.
As the Heat build a new era around the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, the addition of Thompson gives the Heat a valuable boost ahead of the highly anticipated 2026-27 NBA season.
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