As of Monday, Klay Thompson is no longer a Golden State Warriors player. Here’s a look back at the guard’s top 10 performances during his 11 seasons (played) in Oakland Bay.
10 – The 2016 3-point contest, Klay gives his compliments to the chef
February 13, 2016: 27 points to win the All-Star weekend 3-point contest.
This Top 10 is already not one anymore since it does not start with a game. Consider this first entry as a preview of what is to come. Facing his long-time teammate, in the middle of a legendary individual and collective season, Klay Thompson shows that he is the only man who can beat Stephen Curry in his 3-point prime. After the 23 units of the chief, Killa Klay improves the score by four points to take revenge for the competition lost the previous year.
Flashback to 2016: Klay Thompson outshines Steph Curry in the Three-Point Contest final, showcasing his sharpshooting prowess. A memorable moment in the history of long-range marksmanship! #ThreePointContest2016 #KlayvsStephThrowback pic.twitter.com/2zlSDCVPye
— Rylie Nhel Conol (@ConolNhel46) https://twitter.com/ConolNhel46/status/1759401014250365371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
9 – The 37 points of the 2016 Finals, LeBron and Kyrie were too strong
June 13, 2016: 37 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist on 11/20 shooting, 6/11 on 3-pointers and 9/9 on free throws in 40 minutes.
Almost no one remembers Klay Thompson’s performance in Game 5 of the 2016 Finals. The Warriors were leading 3-1, one win away from the title, but LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each scored 41 points to force Game 6. On the other side, the number 11 had given his all to avoid extending the series. 37 points with 6 bombs to try to conclude the NBA Finalsit’s rare enough not to be forgotten. Unfortunately, Golden State collapses and the Cavs’ comeback becomes legendary.
8 – Game 6 of the 2019 Finals, the pain and the symbol
June 13, 2019: 30 points, 5 rebounds on 8/12 shooting, 4/6 on 3-pointers and 10/10 on free throws in 32 minutes.
Without Kevin Durant, the Warriors absolutely must win Game 6 against the Raptors in the 2019 Finals. If Stephen Curry is struggling with his shooting, a gala Klay Thompson keeps the Dubs in the game. His 28 points in a Extreme cleanliness in the first three quarters keep hope alive… before the tragedy. The guard suffers a torn cruciate ligament and has to return to the locker room. His return to the court to score 2 last free throws, despite a sore knee, is legendary. But without him, Golden State loses to Kawhi Leonard and his Dinos.
7 – First Playoff Explosion as a Sophomore
May 8, 2013: 34 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals on 13/26 shooting, 8/9 on 3-pointers and 0/0 on free throws in 47 minutes.
In May 2013, young Klay played the second playoff series of his life against the Spurs of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard. To get revenge for a Game 1 lost by a hair, Thompson decided to light up San Antonio behind the 3-point line. 8 award-winning bombs in just 9 attemptsand a new personal record in the postseason with 34 units without a single free throw attempted. If we add 14 rebounds, the highest total of the game, we get an XXL performance at only 22 years old.
6 – The ode to cleanliness, 44 points including 10 consecutive 3-point shots
January 21, 2019: 44 points, 3 rebounds at 17/20 shooting, 10/11 at 3-pointers and 0/0 at free throws in 27 minutes.
To hurt, Klay Thompson doesn’t need much playing time or many attempts. Against the Lakers with an injured LeBron James, he delivers the cleanest performance of his entire career, which begins with an incredible streak of 10 consecutive 3-point shots. In total, he finished with 44 points with only 3 small missed shots, and still no free throw attempted. Killa Klay, in 27 minutes obviously, without touching the floor during the fourth quarter.
5 – Fourteen 3-pointers in 26 minutes, NBA record broken
October 29, 2018: 52 points, 4 rebounds on 18/28 shooting, 14/24 on 3-pointers and 2/2 on free throws in 26 minutes.
The greatest shooter of all time, Stephen Curry, does not hold the record for most three-pointers in a single game. The fault lies with his teammate Klay Thompson, who had fun one fall night against the Chicago Bulls. With a number 11 at 10/14 from behind the arc at halftime, the leader knows that his feat is in danger. It only takes Klay 8 minutes in the third period to Raising the bar to 14 three-pointers before going to sit down until the end of the game. 26 minutes is enough to exceed 50 points.
4 – “Game 6” Klay against the Rockets, 35 points at 9/14 at the best moment
May 26, 2018: 35 points, 6 rebounds on 13/23 shooting, 9/14 on 3-pointers and 0/0 on free throws in 39 minutes.
With their backs to the wall, the Warriors are trailing 3-2 against the Rockets of a James Harden who has just been named MVP. At home, Klay Thompson continues to write his Game 6 legend and shines brightly: 9/14 from the parking lot, best scorer of the game (with 3 MVPs in their prime on the court, excuse me anyway) and still no need for free throws. Golden State overturns Houston in Game 7 a few days later and heads towards its third NBA title in four seasons.
3 – 60 points in 11 dribbles, what’s this mess?
December 5, 2016: 60 points, 2 rebounds at 21/33 shooting 8/14 at 3-pointers and 8/11 at free throws in 29 minutes.
In NBA history, no one has ever scored 60 points playing less than 30 minutes. Except Klay. In his career, he has proven on several occasions that he is one of the most dominant players when he has the hot hand. The Pacers still remember it: 60 points on 63% shooting in only three quarters, the bill could have been much saltier if Steve Kerr had left the human torch on the court. But the performance is still the Klay Thompson’s career record. He also only made 11 dribbles, which is half the number of baskets he scored. Crazy.
2 – The birth of “Game 6 Klay”, record for 3-point shots in a Playoff game
May 28, 2016: 41 points, 4 rebounds at 14/31 shooting, 11/18 at 3-pointers and 2/2 at free throws in 40 minutes.
The Warriors needed a savior, Klay Thompson stepped up to the plate. Beat the 3-point shooting record in the playoffs to snatch a game 7 facing the duo Kevin Durant – Russell Westbrook, that’s called absolute class. Klay lets loose perhaps the greatest match of his career at the moment when he bears the most pressure, and the highlights are always of a sublime purity.
Klay Thompson saved the Warriors in Game 6 vs. OKC on this day in 2016.
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