After a grueling Game 7 win against the Sacramento Kings, Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors are moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs. Klay had a relatively quiet night with just 16 points on 21% shooting, but he’s still thrilled about what’s to come.
The Warriors will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the next round, and for Klay, this is a matchup he’s been waiting for. “It’s special,” he said in a post-game interview. “Playing LeBron in the Finals four times, who is obviously one of the greatest to ever play, and Anthony Davis is right there as well, we’ve played AD in the playoffs too. Watching that last series against Memphis, it looks like they’re gelling. Their guys know their roles and it’s going to be a huge challenge for us but we’re all excited to play the Lakers.”
Klay’s excitement about this series goes beyond just the basketball matchup. His father, Mychal Thompson, is the Lakers’ radio announcer and a former champion of the franchise as a player. While Klay’s allegiance has always been to a different California team, he’s thrilled to play playoff basketball in front of his family on his “road” games in LA.
“It’s just a dream come true,” Klay said. “I’ve waited for this for 12 years.” Klay has been an integral part of the Warriors’ success over the years, and he’s looking forward to stepping up once again in this series.
In the first round against the Kings, Klay averaged 20.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, but he left some room for improvement. He’s shooting 42.5% from the field and 35.6% from three so far in the playoffs, lower numbers than his career playoff stats.
The Lakers will be a tough test for the Warriors, with two of the league’s biggest stars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge. But Klay knows that the Warriors have what it takes to compete. “We’re all excited for the challenge,” he said. “It’s going to be a battle, but we’re ready for it.” The series begins on Tuesday, and fans can expect to see Klay and the Warriors bring their A-game.
“Steph Curry Game” Seals Golden State Warriors’ Conference Semifinals Spot: Klay Thompson Praises Curry’s Historic Performance
Stephen Curry delivered a record-setting performance on Sunday, becoming the first NBA player to score 50 points in a Game 7. His teammate, Klay Thompson, praised the outstanding display as “an all-time great performance” that he will “forever remember as the Steph Curry game.”
Curry’s remarkable feat led the Golden State Warriors to a 120-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings, propelling them into the conference semifinals. He shot an impressive 20-of-38, including seven three-pointers, securing the most Game 7 threes in league history.
Thompson, who struggled with his shooting, commended Curry for covering for his “off night” and other Warriors shooters. He acknowledged Curry’s impact on the team, saying that “There’s a reason he’s a two-time finals MVP because he pushes us over the top in moments like this.”
Thompson described it as a “joy” to play with Curry and praised his teammate as the “GOAT” for a reason.
The Warriors will now face the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals, where Curry and Thompson will match up against Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
