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.
Even Kevin love needs some Klay Thompson #DubNation https://t.co/jnWb4QgoPt
— Tingz🪐 (@TingznWingz) January 10, 2022
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.
Fun fact: Klay Thompson and Kevin Love were little league teammates.
— Hoops Nostalgia (@HoopsNostalgia) August 25, 2021
The two starred for the Lake Oswego All-Stars and nearly earned a berth in the Little League World Series, before Thompson's family moved from Oregon to Orange County. pic.twitter.com/oWSt6qnMu3
Thompson even told a story of a time he beaned Love in the back.
Klay Thompson revisited his Little League baseball diamond where he recalls hitting fellow Oregon native Kevin Love with a pitch pic.twitter.com/9V0Bb3WWqx
— Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) October 26, 2021
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.