It’s been exactly a year since Klay Thompson went into Oklahoma City for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals and singlehandedly changed the course of the Warriors’ future. Golden State trailed the Thunder 3-2 in the series, but Thompson’s explosion tied things up and swung the momentum back to his team, which went on to win the series over OKC and sway their superstar Kevin Durant to join the Dubs.
Warriors fans won’t soon forget what Thompson did on May 28, 2016, but here’s the stat line as a quick memory-refresher: 41 points, 14 made field goals, 11 three-pointers (a playoff record), and one saved season.
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In some ways, not much has changed over the last year in Golden State – the Warriors cruised to the top seed in the West for the third time in a row, and they’re set to take on Cleveland in the Finals for the third straight season as well. In other ways, a lot has changed. Thompson’s heroic Game 6 set into motion the series of events that led to Durant’s arrival in Oakland, and through 12 games of the playoffs, KD and Steph Curry have blossomed into the Warriors’ 1-2 punch that used to feature Thompson himself. The MVP duo is combining for more than 50 points per contest in the 12 playoff wins.
Meanwhile, Klay is averaging 10 points per game fewer this postseason than last (down from 24.3 to 14.4). But there’s no better piece of evidence than Game 6 in Oklahoma to show that Thompson’s revival could come at the drop of a hat. The potential is always there for the Washington State grad, and it’s why the Warriors have always been content letting him shoot his way through slumps. This is the guy who said “I’m not sacrificing s**t” when Durant arrived.
When the Finals kick off Thursday night, it’ll be key for Thompson to continue not sacrificing. He’s taken at least 9 shots in each playoff game this season, and although he’s shooting just 38 percent from the field, he can break out at any time. Headed into Game 6 against Oklahoma City, he was only shooting 30 percent from deep in the series’ previous five games. But Curry and company remained confident in their sharpshooter, and he delivered.
The Cavaliers are a beast unlike any the Warriors have faced on their stroll to the Finals, with a roster almost equally versatile as themselves. If Golden State is to win four games, they will likely each come in a different way, and thanks to a different player. Obviously Curry or Durant could take over in MVP fashion. But maybe JaVale McGee will step up with a huge half and swing a game. Maybe Draymond Green can use his defense to steal a game on the road. Or maybe, it’ll be Thompson. The first two games of the Finals will be critical, and Golden State will undoubtedly want to go up 2-0 before heading east.
The pair of home games to begin the series is good news for Klay, who shot 48 percent from distance in Oracle this season, and his chances to bust out. With Kyrie Irving heading the Cleveland backcourt, Thompson’s presence as the third best guard in the series will be crucial for the Warriors to hold the upper hand in guard play.
Expect Thompson to be fed early and often in Game 1, as Mike Brown (or Steve Kerr) looks to find what works for his offense. Klay may get hot and take over a game, and he could even ride that streak through the whole series. We’ve seen it before. But if he doesn’t get going right away, don’t panic, Dubs fans. His teammates won’t. Because they remember Game 6.
