The Warriors wanted to cheer on Thompson and turned to Jackie Moon!

SAN FRANCISCO — Will Ferrell screamed and put a hand to the face of Klay Thompson when the Golden State Warriors star threw a 3-pointer. Good defensive finish, no doubt.

Ferrell was true to his word and warmed up with the Warriors on Tuesday night, perhaps just what coach Steve Kerr’s team needed before facing the LA Clippers while mired in a five-game losing streak. The Warriors won 112-97, with Thompson scoring 20 points.

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The Flint Tropics own, Jackie Moon pic.twitter.com/u2G2AZQmQJ

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 9, 2022

The movie star donned an old-fashioned headband and dressed in his Jackie Moon jersey from the 2008 basketball movie “Semi-Pro,” a moment meant especially for Thompson, who dressed as Moon for Halloween three years ago. and love the movie.

Thompson watched it repeatedly during his two-year rehabilitation from major knee and Achilles tendon surgeries, saying, “When I was having some dark days, I would put on that movie and it would make me smile. I’m so thankful for that movie.”

He added: “That was great, dreams do come true.” Kerr explained how Ferrell came to speak at the Chase Center.

“He actually emailed me a while ago and I didn’t think it was him,” Kerr said. “So we exchanged a couple of emails and came up with a plan. You know he’s a huge fan of Klay Thompson, and he knows how much Klay loves dressing up as Jackie Moon, so it felt like a natural fit and it felt like time to do it too: make everyone laugh through a tough stretch of the season and he was great. He walked into the locker room and made the guys laugh. They all loved seeing him and hearing about him. He’s hilarious.”

Ferrell made a half-court shot on his second try during warmups and went on to Stephen Curryeven used his foot to kick the ball to the current scoring leader, before Curry hit a 3-pointer to complete his pregame routine.

“I’m under contract,” Ferrell told The Associated Press. “So this is the first test with the team, let’s see what happens.” How fun was that? “Well, it’s what I do,” he said matter-of-factly. And that sweet shot from half court? Zero humility here. “I make them in my sleep.”

The Warriors and their fans enjoyed every minute of Ferrell’s surprise appearance. “That was unbelievable,” former Warriors center Zaza Pachulia said. “We needed that energy.”

“It was fun and I’m glad we took advantage of it,” Curry said. Ferrell chatted with general manager Bob Myers and the injured star Draymond Green at half court before quickly exiting through a Chase Center tunnel.

When Ferrell appeared, he leaned in and stretched briefly before taking a short shot. “Hears!” Curry yelled with delight, “You have to jump for that!”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.