Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson knows he couldn't have won an NBA title with the Golden State Warriors back in 2022 if he weren't healthy. So he gifted a championship ring to the doctor who made sure he was.
Thompson presented Dr. Richard Fenkel, the orthopedic surgeon who repaired his Achilles in November 2020, with the ring after Tuesday's highly-anticipated Mavericks–Los Angeles Lakers contest, an incredibly classy gesture that honors the important part doctors, surgeons, and trainers have in a franchise's success.
"Oh my gosh, this is unbelievable," Fenkel is heard saying in video of the moment, captured by The Athletic's Sam Amick. Thompson then replies, "Without you, I would not have been the second leading scorer on a championship team."
Check that out below:
A special moment for Klay Thompson after tonight’s game: He gave a 2022 Warriors championship ring to the legendary Dr. Richard Ferkel, who repaired Klay’s Achilles in Nov. 2020.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 26, 2025
“Without you, I would not have been the second leading scorer on a championship team, “Thompson… pic.twitter.com/zguQkUdxNw
Klay Thompson gifted Dr. Richard Ferkel—who repaired Thompson's Achilles in 2020—a 2022 Warriors championship ring after Tuesday's Mavs-Lakers game.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 26, 2025
"Without you, I would not have been the second leading scorer on a championship team."
(🎥: @sam_amick) pic.twitter.com/KsFUuWMv1K
Notably, some of Fenkel's other clients include Thompson's former teammate and Warriors championship winner Steph Curry, who enlisted the surgeon to repair his ankle in 2012, as Amick notes above.
Gotta love it. Warriors fans salute you, Dr. Fenkel.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Klay Thompson Gives Special Championship Gift to Surgeon Who Repaired His Achilles.
