Klay Thompson Pays Tribute to Kevin Durant and Oracle Arena in Spirited IG Post
By Scott Rogust
It's do or die for the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. After winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals on the road, they return home to Oracle Arena for the very last time looking to even the series at three games apiece against the Toronto Raptors. But they will have to do so without Kevin Durant, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on Monday night.
Prior to tip-off, Warriors All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson posted a tribute to both Durant and Oracle Arena on Instagram, and it's rather moving.
"Gameday, and it's obviously a big one," Thompson wrote. "But DubNation, I need you to reflect on the fact that we would not be in this position if it weren't for this man and his sacrifices. He's the reason there are banners hanging in the rafters of Oracle. I'm gonna need every Dubs fan in the building tonight to bring the same fire K brought everyday to the court !! It's not gonna be the same running out that tunnel without u bro. We all know this is a minor set back for a major comeback !! Nothing can impede this mans greatness."
"Speaking of Oracle, let's lay it all out there tonight in honor of the 47 years in this beautiful building," Thompson continued. "Let's get it DubNation!"
"All those talking heads that say we're better without him, that's ludicrous, that's crazy, this is the best player in the world."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2019
— Klay Thompson on Kevin Durant's impact for the Warriors pic.twitter.com/DfqX29XhUH
Ever since joining the Warriors, Durant received plenty of flak for signing with an already stacked squad in order to chase an NBA title. However, he showcased his importance on the team in winning back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards.
Thompson wanted to stress what Durant had brought to the Bay Area in the past three seasons. Now, he's poised to repay the favor to KD and send Oracle out on a high note with one more win to force an epic Game 7.