Klay Thompson Overcomes Injuries with Boat Therapy

Klay Thompson purchased a boat to cope with the stress of his ACL and Achilles injuries. The Golden State Warriors star found the ocean peaceful and calming, helping his mental health.

What led to the boat purchase?

Thompson's injuries in 2019, including a torn ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, led to a long recovery. He missed 941 days of NBA action before returning on January 9, 2022.

The story of Captain Klay

Thompson always loved the ocean and found it calming, but didn't foresee buying a boat until his friend introduced him to sailing. He test-drove an Axopar 37 Cabin boat and fell in love, purchasing it at a discounted price.

How the boat helped Thompson

The boat therapy helped Thompson's mental health, allowing him to cope with the stress of recovery. He enjoyed cruising and being out in nature, finding it refreshing and a dream come true. Thompson scored 17 points in his return game, a 96-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors won their fourth NBA title in 2022, with Thompson averaging 20.4 points per game in 32 games.

Thompson's return to the court

Thompson's return was highly anticipated, and he delivered, helping the Warriors win their fourth title in eight years. He struggled with field goal shooting, but his presence was key to the team's success. Thompson's love for the ocean and boating brought him joy, second only to winning basketball games. He learned to sail from a boat captain introduced by Kenyon Martin, a San Diego dealer. The Axopar 37 Cabin boat was a $300,000 investment, but Thompson got a discount on the slightly used vessel.