WARRIOR DOWN
NBA fans convinced Klay Thompson is retiring as they spot his reaction after Golden State Warriors’ play-in defeat
The Warriors star broke an unwanted record during Tuesday's play-in tournament loss
GOLDEN State Warriors star Klay Thompson put up a disastrous stat line in what could be his final game for the franchise.
The 34-year-old suffered a dismal evening as the Warriors fell to a 118-94 loss against the Sacramento Kings.
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Thompson is a four-time NBA champion and has been with Golden State since being drafted No. 11 overall in 2011.
He is set to become a free agent in the offseason with no new contract offer yet on the table.
Thompson went 0-of-10 shooting on Tuesday night, including 0-of-6 from three-point range.
It was only the fifth time in the Californian's career that he failed to score a single point, per ESPN.
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Thompson was benched for the final minutes of the Kings loss, which knocked Golden State out of the play-in tournament and ended their season.
As the team made their way to the locker room, Thompson stopped and turned around, appearing to take in the atmosphere before leaving the court.
Some fans felt Thompson's body language suggested this wasn't just his last game for the Warriors, but his last in the NBA.
"He will be missed, Klay is a special player," wrote one fan on X in response to the footage.
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"It's always bittersweet to see a player potentially leave a team they've given so much to," said another.
"Pretty sure that might be his last game ever," sighed a third.
Inside Klay Thompson's $700k car collection including classic 1960s Lincoln Continental he drove to NBA Finals
"Prob should be his last game period. 0-10 in a play in game smh," added a fourth.
TEAMMATES' SUPPORT
"Everybody’s going to talk about one game," Thompson's Splash Brother partner Steph Curry said after the defeat.
“I know he wanted to play better. I know he’s a true champion.
"We all prepare ourselves to play our best when the lights are bright. When it doesn’t happen, nobody needs to tell you anything."
Thompson has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and started 63 games this year.
Despite his struggles, Warriors coach Steve Kerr was adamant that the franchise should re-sign one of their all-time greats.
"We need Klay back," Kerr told reporters, "He's still got good years left. "
"I know I speak for everybody in the organization - we want him back.
"What Klay has meant to this franchise and as good as he still is, we desperately want him back."
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Thompson bagged $43.2 million this season with his five-year, $235 million deal set to expire in July.
Since entering the NBA in 2011, he has earned an incredible $266,164,224, per Spotrac.
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