After two weeks of struggling with his shot, Klay Thompson unleashed the type of game the Warriors will need to make a long playoff run, writes Kendra Andrews of ESPN. Thompson scored 38 points on Saturday night, his highest total since returning from a long injury absence, with eight three-pointers, six rebounds and five assists in a win over Milwaukee.
“Everybody makes a big deal about my shooting, man,” said Thompson, who connected on 15 of his 24 shots from the field. “I mean, I’m not happy with how I was shooting but I know these nights are within me. I just know. I’ve done too many great things that players haven’t done before to doubt myself.”
However, there were some outside doubters as questions started to emerge about Thompson’s effectiveness after missing more than two full seasons with two serious injuries. He was mired in a slump after the All-Star break, shooting just 34% from the floor and 23.3% from beyond the arc over his last four games. He has also been in and out of the lineup, missing two games because of illness and two others while being rested in back-to-backs.
“He’s so hard on himself and wants so badly to succeed,” coach Steve Kerr said. “I thought he just let the game come to him early. He didn’t hunt shots. Over the past few games, he’s been taking tough ones early, which has kept him from getting into a rhythm. Tonight, it felt like he was taking better shots early. … You know Klay, once a couple go in, the tougher ones get a lot easier for him.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Kerr tried a different starting lineup Saturday, using reserve guard Jordan Poole along with Thompson and Stephen Curry, notes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. The change was partially dictated by the matchup — Kerr wanted another play-maker on the court with Jrue Holiday guarding Curry — but the trio has been especially productive, posting a plus-97 in the 104 minutes they’ve played together.
- Kerr only used eight players against the Bucks, but he will soon have a lot more options, Slater adds. Draymond Green is expected to return Monday, along with Otto Porter, and Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton II are both on the way back. “What’s becoming apparent to me, this year, is that we could have a different starting lineup from game to game in the playoffs, series to series,” Kerr said. “This is not the Warriors from five years ago when you knew exactly what was coming. We got a lot of really good pieces, but we have some new ones, some unproven ones. We have to be able to adjust quickly on the fly if things aren’t going well.”
- Kerr was “thrilled” about James Wiseman‘s performance in his first G League game and said he should be ready for NBA action “soon,” according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. Wiseman will play for Santa Cruz again today, and Kerr and a few players plan to attend.
GSW is getting another 5 back. They will make some noise. Iffy still has enough to win a playoff game with a big night.
If who still has enough?
Iggy ?
If he ?
Golden State is another team, like Brooklyn, that is loaded, actually overloaded, with talent. Could easily be these two teams in the Finals instead of Phoenix versus Milwaukee. What a crazy season! Go Celtics!
True true true. So many good teams. Some playoffs this year ;)
Klay is really getting carried away with his big head ego… “.. I have done too many great things that players havent done before….”
Who the heck is his advisor??? Klay needs ego adjustment and needs to do a better interview than that….
I thought the same thing when I read that. Could someone please tell me what Klay’s done that no one in NBA history has done?
Most 3s made in a game?
37 points in a Q …….. a SG lol
Here’s more
link to nba.com
Good link !! Thank you Al.
Didn’t he have the least amount of dribbles for however many points?
That’s easy. How many players have 3 NBA Championship rings? And, he could easily win more. So, it is not ego; it is fact.
He literally said the word “I” in his statement..mentioned nothing about winning rings..
@dubtastic He is talking about his shooting troubles. So, using the word “I” is appropriate. Any other word would be bizarre. And, his shooting is definitely a key in the Warriors success the past decade, which includes 3 championships. Not a lot of players can say that.
I see your correlation to his shooting troubles and contributions to the team’s 3 rings but he over inflated his ego by comparing himself to others..just by the statement alone “I’ve done things that others haven’t” is straight up stating that he’s better than most..he inflated his ego to get over his shooting hump..
It’s great to see Poole out of slump and playing well along with Klay and Curry. Imagine 3rd player playing along with $200m Klay, $250m Curry, and Wiggins, etc. It would be so easy to get intimidated and get lost and down, but he has really emerged as one of bright talent for W’s future. Everybody wanted him released his first year, and even last yr, he spent bulk of first half in G League. He has come a long way and basically is the KEY to W’s title run this year. Bravo Poole!!!!
the dead poole.
Wiggins and Kuminga just want to dunk in front of Giannis
Warriors can rest Curry one week later
Poole is now able to replace Curry
Poole is now the best shooter in the nba?
Why would you rest Curry during the playoffs?
I used to think Klay was humble. Some of his comments tho…geez. And whining about not being considered a Top 75. Times have changed I guess.
Don’t let him reminding you that he’s accomplished some pretty good stuff sway you from thinking he’s not humble anymore.
He’s going through a rough patch and he’s understandably frustrated by it. I give him a pass on this. He’s worked hard to get to this place and it’s not going to be all star status right away.