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Warriors clinch No. 3 seed with win over Pelicans
Klay Thompson goes off for 41 points.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) ready to shoot in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Sunday, April 10, 2022. The Warriors won 128-107. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
2022.04.10 – Klay Thompson scored 11 straight points for the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter to fend off the middling New Orleans Pelicans and help the Warriors win 128-107 on Sunday night to end the regular season.
Thompson’s form is now the least of Golden State’s worries.
“The proof is on the court just what he’s looked like over the last couple weeks,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Thompson poured in a season-high 41 points. “He’s been in a great groove now, so it’s a really good sign.”
Thompson’s recent play is among many reasons the Warriors are heading into the playoffs on a five-game winning streak. With fellow “Splash Brother” Stephen Curry sidelined by a foot injury, Thompson has scored 30 or more in three straight games.
Since Jan. 9, when he resumed a career derailed more than two seasons by successive knee and Achilles injuries, Thompson has averaged 20 points per game over 32 games.
“I pat myself on the back because when you go through the injuries I did, there’s some really slow days,” Thompson said. “There’s so many tedious exercises and just building up your muscles again to do what you love is a challenge — something I never had to do before. So, to do it twice and come out and average (20 points) is inspiring for myself and just makes me want to keep going, because I’m still juts scratching the surface of what I can become.”
2022.04.10 – Warriors @ New Orleans Pelicans – (NBA Video highlights)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jared Harper (2) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 10, 2022. The Warriors won 128-107. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
2022.04.10 – Warriors @ New Orleans Pelicans – (NBA Video highlights)
2022.04.10 – Warriors @ New Orleans Pelicans – (NBA Video highlights)
In New Orleans, Thompson looked like the sharp-shooter who could single-handedly take over a game.
He scored 21 first-half points to stake Golden State to a 20-point halftime lead. And when New Orleans tried to make a game of it late in the third quarter, Thompson returned to put it away with 15 points in a five-minute span early in the fourth quarter.
His scoring came on everything from driving reverse layups and floaters to pull-up jumpers, turnarounds and, of course, 3s — seven of them.
Kerr said the scoring display Thompson has put on recently “doesn’t surprise me, actually, because it’s Klay.”
“He’s one of the greatest shooters of all time,” Kerr continued. “The biggest thing is he’s just found his rhythm. He’s gotten his conditioning. Early on, he wanted everything back so badly he was forcing the issue, and it’s just been really fun to watch him settle in.”
2022.04.10 – Klay drops 41 points; declares ‘I’m back’ – (Post Game Video)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates with Draymond Green after scoring a 3-point basket, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Sunday, April 10, 2022. The Warriors won 128-107. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
2022.04.10 – Klay drops 41 points; declares ‘I’m back’ – (Post Game Video)
2022.04.10 – Klay drops 41 points; declares ‘I’m back’ – (Post Game Video)
Just in time for the third-seeded Warriors’ first playoff series in three seasons. They open their first-round series at home against Denver on Saturday night.
“A lot of ups and downs for myself this season, but I stuck with it,” Thompson said. “I will continue to do that, and some great momentum going into the playoffs. I can’t wait. I’m so excited of the playoffs, Having to watch the last two years was painful.”
2022.04.10 – Klay + Dubs Playoff with HOF Rick Barry – (Post Game Video)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts after scoring a 3-point basket as head coach Steve Kerr laughs, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Sunday, April 10, 2022. The Warriors won 128-107. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
2022.04.10 – Klay + Dubs Playoff with HOF Rick Barry – (Post Game Video)
2022.04.10 – Klay + Dubs Playoff with HOF Rick Barry – (Post Game Video)
Thompson called Sunday “individually a great cap to the regular season.” The five-time All-Star had been under a spotlight over the last few months as he worked his way back, during which he struggled at times with his shot selection and being consistent.
With Sunday’s victory, the Warriors tied for the third-best record in the league (53-29). Only Western Conference foes the Memphis Grizzlies (56-26) and Phoenix Suns (64-17) had better records.
And it’s noteworthy that Golden State accomplished this with their dynastic trio of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green playing only 11 minutes together the entire season.
But when he’s on his game, Thompson is still one of the best shooters in the game and can effortlessly drain his signature quick-release 3-pointers like nobody’s business.
Thompson threw a forceful fist pump after making his seventh 3-pointer Sunday night before he checked out of the game for the final time.
“I’m so ready for next weekend,” Thompson said. “It’s gonna be a dogfight but man, we’re ready.”
“Yeah, I’m back,” Thompson said after the Warriors clinched the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Play the sixth-seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round, with the first game scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Nuggets: Face Game 1 playoff series vs. Golden State at Chase Center.
Related – See : Warriors Terminate Suns’ 18-Game Streak
Related – See below: 2018 Warriors NBA Finals (video)
Read more at: Golden State Warriors Media Services / More AP NBA
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the Golden State Warriors, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
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2018 Warriors NBA Finals video highlights