Injuries are the sad part of sports. So many flourishing NBA careers have been shortened through major injuries. Klay Thompson could have been on that path. After suffering an ACL tear during the 2019 NBA Finals, the former Warrior ruptured his Achilles in the following year. To most, those signaled a combination of career-ending injuries. Nobody knew if he would return the same. And if not for one man, the now Mavericks guard feels that really would have been the case.

Dr. Richard Ferkel is a legendary surgeon who has treated several NBA stars, including the second half of the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry. With Klay Thompson, he was the doctor who reattached his torn Achilles allowing for him to return to the NBA floor after 941 days in 2022. Thompson became a pivotal contributor to the Warriors’ fourth championship because of it. And he considers Dr. Ferkel to be a part of the 2022 Warriors as much as anyone.

So tonight when he came to watch him play the Lakers, Thompson arranged a surprise. He presented the renowned surgeon with a 2022 Warriors championship ring. “Without you, I would not have been the second leading scorer on a championship team,” Thompson reiterated as he gave Dr. Ferkel his rightfully deserved NBA ring.

“I can’t thank you enough, are you kidding me? I didn’t even think that was possible,” the Mavericks guard admitted to Dr. Richard Ferkel. Not only has been able to return, but Thompson is thriving since adjusting back to the grueling NBA demands.

It might not look like his peak since he missed over two years of his prime due to recurring ailments. Yet he is still able to be a huge part of an NBA franchise. And Klay Thompson doesn’t take that for granted.

Every day is filled with gratitude for Klay Thompson

Let alone performing at a high level, Klay Thompson didn’t even see himself playing near his potential after back-to-back career-threatening injuries. However, here he is still going strong and being a focal part of an NBA organization. Dr. Ferkel enabled him to put his thoughts during his two-year absence to fruition.

The 2022 NBA Finals held the most significance for Thompson. He marks it as “completing a journey” from being at his absolute low to being back on top. And what it filled him with his potent appreciation for the process. Hence, even now, he plays while carrying that weight. With an emotional night in LA seeing Luka Doncic play against his former team, Thompson too expanded on his cherishing his basketball career.

“I don’t take for granted just even playing as many games I have played this year being in the lineup consistently. It was really cool seeing Dr. Ferkel tonight. That man reattached my Achilles so to see him and how far I have come from the operating table to being out there on a nightly basis it’s a huge accomplishment for myself. Like every night to me in an NBA jersey is an honor,” Thompson said after the Lakers game.

Since making his long-awaited return, Thompson has embraced being part of the NBA. There’s not been a single season he has played less than 60 games since the 2022-23. Furthermore, the 35-year-old has worked tremendously to retain his benchmark. This year, having played 51 games, he’s shooting 39.8% from three.

Although he isn’t averaging as many points, Klay Thompson isn’t taking the chance of playing again for granted. From feeling his career was in danger to now being an integral part of the Mavericks team that made an NBA Finals last season, the five-time All-Star is giving it his all every single night.

Four years ago, that didn’t seem to be in his cards. Hence, it’s no surprise he holds such high appreciation for Dr. Richard Frekel. Without him, his grit to play basketball may not have even existed. And now that he’s given him a chance, Klay Thompson isn’t looking back. He is chasing more “greatness”, just in different colors.