'Devastating Loss': NBA Players and Commentators Wish Klay Thompson Well After He Tears Achilles

Following the news on Thursday that Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has torn his right achilles—an injury that brings his season to an end before it even began— NBA players and sports reporters are wishing the future hall-of-famer well in his recovery.

ESPN reported that Thompson suffered the injury on Wednesday, during a practice that same day, playing with other NBA players in Los Angeles. In a statement received by Newsweek, the Warriors confirmed that an MRI showed that Thompson tore his achilles tendon, and he's expected to sit out for the upcoming 2020-21 NBA season, which was supposed to be a comeback year for the Warriors. (Injuries to Thompson and superstar point guard Steph Curry kept the Warriors at the bottom of the NBA standings throughout the 2019-2020 season.)

In a Wednesday press conference after Thompson suffered the injury, Warriors General Manager Bob Myers said that he spoke to Thompson and that trainers had also touched base with the guard for more information. "We'll find out more tomorrow," Myers said at the time.

Having to sit out a season at this point in his career is surely a devastating loss—not only for the 30-year-old Thompson himself, but also for the Warriors as a team. A few of Thompson's teammates—forwards Draymond Green and Eric Paschall, as well as former Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins—shared prayers and encouragements for the beloved sharpshooter.

Well wishes also poured in from all over the league on Wednesday, when news of Thompson's injury first broke. Most notably, Lakers guard LeBron James shared that he was praying for the Warrior.

Brooklyn Nets guard Jamal Crawford, former Toronto Raptors guard Jeremy Lin and former Boston Celtics player Kendrick Perkins all offered kind words for Thompson. Lin tweeted that while the injury was upsetting, Thompson would surely bounce back. "But he's a beast. His story is far from over and still being written," Lin wrote.

Besides players, commentators and sports reporters also shared their hopes for Thompson to make a quick and full recovery. Once it was officially revealed to be an achilles tear, Ringer reporter Dan Devine said the injury was "mindblowingly gutting."

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith posted a video expressing how upset he was at the news.

"I don't even know what to say. Devastating loss. My heart goes out to him. Good guy. One of the greatest shooters this game has ever seen. Bad for him. Bad for the league. Bad for us, not to see him out there. It's a damn shame. Damn! I thought I was gonna see the Warriors in the conference finals at the very least," Smith said in the clip.

This latest injury will keep Thompson off the court for a second straight season. The three-time NBA champ wasn't able to play last season after suffering a torn ACL during the 2019 NBA Finals.