Klay Thompson’s Injury Ruined Golden State Warriors , Says Analyst
On Wednesday, three-time NBA Champion Klay Thompson suffered an injury during a pickup game in Los Angeles. The Warriors announced that Thompson would have an MRI on Thursday morning.
After receiving that MRI, it was confirmed that Thompson would the 2020-21 season with a torn right Achilles tendon. Thompson’s agent, Greg Lawrence, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that his client is expected to be fully recovered for the start of the 2021-22 season.
“Klay has a strength of will, but right now, it’s a tough day for him,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers said. “It hurts. He’ll get to a place, I think, where he’s on the road. But, like you or I or anybody, this is a tough day for him to hear that news. It’s hard. It’s tough.”
It’s challenging, and one NBA analyst doesn’t believe Thompson will be the same after the Achilles injury, “I’m going to say Klay Thompson will not be the same,” said Ryan Hollins.
“As a ballplayer, Klay Thompson won’t be the same. Will he still be able to shoot? Yes! Will he still have a high IQ? Yes! But, when it comes to Klay Thompson, he is not going to be the defender,” said Hollins on Instagram Live with Brendan Haywood.
“And Klay Thompson, the defender, was the best possible fit with Steph Curry or any organization because he could slide over and guard the other team’s best player. He wanted to, and Kla y Thompson takes it personally when [you] score on him.”
Hollins then proceeded to ask Haywood, “I want to know the biggest effect of Klay Thompson’s [injury] because I think [his] injury just ruined the Golden State Warriors?
“Klay Thompson’s injury takes away everything we thought the Golden State Warriors could be. We thought the Golden State Warriors could challenge the Lakers, without Klay Thompson, no way. We thought Klay Thompson was the perfect complement to Steph Curry because he guards all the tough people that Steph can’t guard,” said Haywood.
“When they played Cleveland [In the Finals], Steph was always guarding someone like Jr Smith or Iman Shumpert; he wasn’t guarding Kyrie [Irving]. That was Klay, and I agree with you, the ACL combined with the Achilles, and [now] he will have two years removed from not playing basketball. It takes a while to get back to the confidence of everything is working well.”
Thompson missed the entire 2019-20 season due to an ACL injury that suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
