Golden State Warriors returned to the Western Conference Finals after Klay Thompson went for a classic Game 6 performance like the ones they gave him the ‘Game 6 Klay’ nickname. Thompson was elated after the Warriors downed the Grizzlies Friday night.
Thompson knocked down eight 3-pointers on the way to 30 points and reminded the NBA peers his ability to take over in the big moments. Thompson claimed that’s he loves playing under pressure.
“I just love the moments, I love the pressure, I love playing basketball at the highest level. Our careers, we’re not singers, we’re not actors, we can’t do this through our elder years so while we’re doing it you got to appreciate every single night,” Thompson said.
In the last seven Game 6s of his career, Thompson put up 25+ points in six occasions, averaging 28.1 points per game. The Warriors have a 5-2 record in those games including several closeout games or elimination games in the respective playoff series.
The Warriors— sent home by Memphis in the play-in tournament last year—withstood a tough series to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2019. This was also the last time the team made the NBA Finals.
”Honestly, especially the perspective I’ve gained from the injuries I’ve had, to now be able to compete at highest level and be one of the final four teams, it’s a feeling that’s hard to describe honestly,” Thompson said.
”It’s truly amazing and it just inspires me to keep going because I think we still have great basketball ahead of me.”
Thompson shot 8 of 14 from long range and notched his fourth career postseason game with eight 3s to tie Ray Allen, Curry, and Damian Lillard for most in NBA history, per NBA.com.
“It’s what he’s been looking forward to since he got hurt back in the 2019 Finals. It’s a different joy. It’s a different energy. When you see him getting off, especially in front of our home crowd, it’s just fun to watch,” Steph Curry said on his longtime teammate.
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