© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
In one of the most defining, jarring moments of the 2019 NBA Finals, Klay Thompson went up for a two-handed dunk, was fouled by the Toronto Raptors’ Danny Green, and landed on his left knee, tearing his ACL. Green, who spoke to Canadian media on June 16, the day before the Raptors held their championship parade, said he had no idea what happened in the moment.
“I thought it was pretty clean. They called a foul,” Green said. “I wasn’t sure what happened and I just saw him grab his knee. You never know serious it is with him because he just walks through and plays through anything. The guy came back on the court like it was nothing with a torn ACL and shot his free throws.”
Green said that the rest of Thompson’s teammates were far from harsh on him for the incident.
“They were like, ‘We know you’re not dirty.’ Draymond [Green], Iggy [Andre Iguodala] they were like, ‘Yeah, you went up for the ball. He just came down funny. It’s not your fault. Don’t even worry about it,’” Green said.
When Thompson went to take his free throws on the torn ACL, Green said he checked in with him. Thompson’s reaction was much the same as Green and Iguodala.
“[Thompson’s] like, ‘I know you didn’t do it purpose,’” Green said.
Green said he didn’t find out how bad Thompson was hurt until he talked to Draymond Green in the hallway after the game.
“I saw [Draymond] in the hallway after and he said it’s an ACL and I was like ‘Ahhh, sh–.’ It’s gonna be a long summer for not just him but their team,” Green said. “You never want to see those guys go down that way. They’re special players and you don’t want to see their careers changed, or be hindered or be over because of certain types of plays or injuries — especially the ones you’re involved in.”