Warriors’ Klay Thompson can add to legend as Game 6 Klay
SAN FRANCISCO (BVM) – When the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 104-94 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, it set the stage for a player who has become more folk hero than basketball star. The player is Klay Thompson and he has reached mythical status with his playoff persona known by basketball fans as Game 6 Klay. While the name is self explanatory, a deep dive into Thompson’s heroic games in the crucial contests is what separates the regular Thompson from his cult status.
— White Jeromeeee⬜️👦🏼🏀6MOTY (3-6) 🌉 (@_b0y1da_) May 14, 2022
Thompson wouldn’t play in a postseason game until his third season with the Warriors and he didn’t have his first memorable Game 6 game until his sixth season when Golden State went up against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. The Warriors found themselves down 3-2 in the series and needed to win Game 6 to keep their postseason hopes alive – enter Game 6 Klay. Thompson led all players with a game-high 41 points while shooting 14-for-31 from the field and a staggering 11-for-18 from behind the 3-point line, setting a playoff record for most hit 3-pointers in a single game, in Golden State’s 108-101 victory. The Warriors would go on to win the series and advance to the 2016 NBA Finals where they eventually fell to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The next appearance of Game 6 Klay wouldn’t be for another two years, but Golden State needed him. During Game 6 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, the Warriors once again found themselves down 3-2 in the series this time to the Houston Rockets. Thompson would again lead all scorers with 35 points, shooting 13-for-23 and 9-for-14 from beyond the 3-point line, helping Golden State win the game 115-86 before eventually winning the series in Game 7. The Warriors would end up winning the 2018 NBA Finals later that season.
During the 2019 playoffs, Thompson would have a couple of noteworthy Game 6 performances, though one ended in tragedy. The first game came once again at Houston’s expense as Thompson helped the Warriors close out the Rockets with a 118-113 win in the Western Conference semifinals for the 4-2 series win where the shooting guard scored 27 points on 10-for-20 from the field and 7-for-13 from deep.
Later in the postseason, the Warriors were facing elimination against the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals down in Game 6 3-2 in the series. Thompson was once again in Game 6 Klay mode as he went off for 28 points during the first three quarters of the game. However, when going up for a contested dunk on a fast break with just over two minutes left in the third quarter, Thompson came down awkwardly on his left knee, which would eventually be confirmed as a torn ACL. Despite the pain, Thompson would hit both his free throws before exiting the game, but the Warriors just couldn’t overcome the injuries to Thompson and teammate Kevin Durant as they dropped Game 6, 114-110.
This postseason, Game 6 Klay made a triumphant return to the NBA postseason. With the Warriors looking to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals up 3-2 in the series, Thompson would again go off as he tied the game-high 30 points going 11-for-22 from the field and 8-for-14 from 3-point range, helping Golden State win the game 110-96 and taking the series.
Now, the Warriors are looking to once again close out an opponent in Game 6, many of the team’s fans are hoping for a repeat of history from Thompson much like the Milwaukee Bucks had last year with their “Bucks in 6” Game 6 victory in the 2021 NBA Finals. Thompson himself is prepared for the opportunity.
“I’ve never been more excited to go to Boston,” Thompson told the media after Game 5.
Given his clutch performances during the decisive Game 6 in the past, expect Thompson to do all he can to help Golden State win their fourth NBA title since 2015 and seventh overall.
