Charles Barkley on Klay Thompson’s Emotional Return to Golden State Warriors

Charles Barkley has weighed in on the highly emotional return of Klay Thompson to the Golden State Warriors, a team he played for over 13 seasons before joining the Dallas Mavericks. On November 12, 2024, Thompson faced his former team at the Chase Center, an event that was marked by a mix of emotions and tributes.

The Chase Center big screen played an emotional tribute video to Thompson, which moved both the fans and Thompson himself to tears. Additionally, 400 Warriors employees welcomed Thompson with a guard of honor, wearing ‘Captain Klay’ hats, a gesture that further highlighted the deep respect and affection the Bay Area has for him.

Barkley, a Phoenix Suns legend and current NBA analyst, commented on the emotional toll this return might have on Thompson. He suggested that Thompson felt insulted during his contract negotiations with the Warriors, which could lead to emotional drainage during the game. “I think this is the first time he’s back. This is a big game for him, personally. He felt he was insulted going back to the contract negotiation like ‘Yall don’t want me after all I did. They made a business decision… I think the emotions is going to drain him,” Barkley said.

Despite the emotional backdrop, the game itself was intense, with Thompson playing against his former teammates, including a notable 1v1 play against Steph Curry. The game marked a significant moment in Thompson’s career, as he navigated the complexities of facing the team he had been a part of for so long.

Barkley’s insights were also influenced by his own experiences of returning to play against his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, after joining the Phoenix Suns. He recalled the emotional and supportive reception he received, which he believes might be similar to what Thompson experienced.