While Klay Thompson was scoring a season-high 54 points in the Warriors' double-overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night at Chase Center, the rest of the sports world was grieving over the situation involving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin, 24, suffered cardiac arrest in the first quarter of the Bills' game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. CPR was performed for nearly nine minutes while he was on the field, and after about 15 total minutes, he was rushed to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The game between the Bills and Bengals ultimately was postponed.
When Thompson sat down at the podium following his best game of the season, he was asked a question about his performance, but his initial thoughts were with Hamlin.
"Before I answer that question, I just want to send my condolences to Mr. Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, his family, his teammates and the city of Buffalo," Thompson told reporters. "As athletes, sometimes the game can overshadow us as individuals or people and on behalf of the Warriors organization, we wish him the best. Keeping him in our prayers and hoping for the best possible outcome. Just a tremendous person and it's bigger than sports."
The Bills issued a statement at 10:48 p.m. PT, noting that Hamlin "is currently sedated and listed in critical condition."
The scary scene in Cincinnati occurred when Hamlin assisted on a tackle. He was briefly able stand up before falling down. Players on both teams were overcome with emotion as they watched medical personnel attend to Hamlin.
As Hamlin was taken from the field to the hospital in an ambulance, players prayed on the field.
Golden State Warriors
Support for Hamlin poured in from across to the sports world, including from numerous 49ers players.
On one of the biggest nights of his NBA career, Thompson spoke for the entire sports community, which was hoping for the best for Hamlin.