For 13 years in the NBA, Klay Thompson was part of the fabric of the Golden State Warriors. He helped the team to four NBA championships and a run of six straight Finals appearances in seasons in which he was healthy.
He averaged 19.6 points as the Splash Brother to Stephen Curry, making a remarkable 41.3% of his 3-pointers and becoming one of only three players to make 300 shots from the arc in a season before being joined by two more this season (Malik Beasley, Anthony Edwards).
For the first time this year, too, Thompson played for a team outside the Bay Area. The Warriors let him go in free agency last summer. He reached a deal with the Dallas Mavericks, a transaction that wound up being made part of a wider sign-and-trade agreement.
Thompson and the Warriors had a bitter disagreement over salary, and Thompson in the end left for less money (three years, $50 million) than the Warriors had offered.
Still, Thompson’s laid-back personality remains tied to the Bay Area. Among his traits were taking his boat to games in San Francisco and wearing his captain’s hat to the arena. And there was his dog, the English bulldog Rocco, who made the occasional press conference appearance and was beloved by fans.
On Friday, former NBA star Mychal Thompson, Klay’s father, said on his L.A. radio show, “We had to put Rocco, Klay’s dog, down over the weekend.”
When word spread, the Warriors posted a tribute to Rocco. “Forever part of the Warriors family. Rest in peace, Rocco,” the post on X read.
Forever part of the Warriors family.
Rest in peace, Rocco 💙 pic.twitter.com/CizBDyapHi
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 30, 2025
Saddened fans posted their reactions to Thompson’s loss of his 13-year-old companion.
“warrior legend dynasty dog rocco,” one wrote.
Another wrote, “Best boy Rocco Warrior 4L.”
Another could relate, writing, “Sad for Klay… as we all know losing a pet is sometimes more difficult than losing friends or family as our furry friends deliver us unconditional love and are always the best listeners…. And they always know how to make you laugh even when you don’t feel like it. RIP.”
And amid the broken-heart, crying-eye and praying-hand emojis, another had a suggestion: “Gotta hang a Rocco Thompson jersey in the rafters.”
The Warriors might not go that far. But they did have a tribute for him.