Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love go way back. They even played on the same little league team as kids.
Klay Thompson’s long-awaited return to the court opened with a touching moment between the Warriors star and Cavaliers forward Kevin Love.
Love waited for Thompson around midcourt to give him a big hug before his first game since 2019.
That show of support has been a long time in the making. It’s also a sign of just how far back Thompson and Love go.
Thompson and Love actually went to school together in Oregon before the former moved to southern California.
Klay Thompson and Kevin Love played on the same little league team
The two played little league baseball together on the Lake Oswego All-Stars.
Thompson even told a story of a time he beaned Love in the back.
Clearly, no bad blood exists between them over that one.
Thompson missed the last two seasons with a knee and Achilles injury. Everyone, even his opponents, seems eager to see him back playing after missing so much time.
The Warriors star had managed five-straight All-Star campaigns
Before Thompson suffered his injuries, Love was coming off his own injury-plagued season but he was a regular starter for the Cavaliers. He’s now playing more of a support role, making just two starts in 31 appearances coming into Sunday night. He is averaging 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.