SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson scored 17 points in his return from two devastating injuries that sidelined him more than 2 1/2 years, helping the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-82.
Thompson was 7 of 18 from the field and 3 of 8 from 3-point range. He added three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 20 minutes. Stephen Curry had 29 points to help the Warriors (30-9) snap a two-game losing streak and tie Phoenix for the NBA lead.
The five-time NBA All-Star Thompson hadn't played since tearing the ACL in his left knee in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals against Toronto. While rehabbing from surgery for that injury, he tore his right Achilles tendon scrimmaging on his own in November 2020.
Lamar Stevens led the Cavs (22-18) with 17 points and newcomer Rajon Rondo added 15 and five assists off the bench. Unfortunately, Darius Garland struggled with just nine points on 3 of 12 shooting, while Kevin Love managed to score just two.
Still sixth in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers have now lost six of nine, and 14 in a row to Golden State dating back to the 2017 NBA Finals. Their west coast trip will continue Monday night against the Sacramento Kings.
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