The 2019 NBA Finals marked the end of one of the most dominant runs in basketball history.

During the series between the Raptors and Warriors, Golden State saw Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson both go down with season-ending injuries. Durant suffered a torn Achilles in Game 5, and Thompson was forced to leave Game 6 after suffering a torn ACL. Despite the best efforts of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the rest of the Warriors, the team was unable to overcome those losses and ultimately fell to Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors.

Durant joined the Nets during the 2019 offseason and has re-established himself as one of the top players in the league. Unfortunately for Thompson, his return was delayed by another significant injury. After walking down a long road to recovery, Thompson finally reached the finish line this season.

Durant joined the Nets during the 2019 offseason and has re-established himself as one of the top players in the league. Unfortunately for Thompson, his return was delayed by another significant injury. After walking down a long road to recovery, Thompson finally reached the finish line this season.

He appeared in 32 regular season games and began to rediscover his old form just in time for another postseason push. Thompson has appeared in every game in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, averaging 19.5 points while shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range to help lead Golden State back to the Western Conference Finals.

With the Warriors now just one win away from returning to the NBA Finals, let’s take a look back at Thompson’s journey.

Klay Thompson injury timeline

— June 13, 2019: During the third quarter of Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson attempts to dunk the ball on a fast break, gets fouled by Danny Green and lands awkwardly with all of his weight on his left leg. He immediately reaches for his left knee and is seen screaming in pain. He manages to shoot his free throws, but he is then subbed out in order to be evaluated by the team’s medical staff. The Raptors go on to win the game, capturing their first championship in franchise history.