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Kendra AndrewsESPN
SAN FRANCISCO – Before the Golden State Warriors face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, Klay Thompson had a conversation with Dominic WilkinsThey discussed how Wilkins’ return from a torn Achilles tendon decades ago inspired Thompson, as the Warriors’ guard has gone through a similar journey.
Thompson was looking for a 2019 version of himself early in the season before tearing his ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, but suffered an Achilles tendon injury just before the start of the 2020-21 season.
His 54 points on 21 on 39 shots (including 10 on 21 shots from 3) in the Warriors’ 143-141 double-overtime win were as close as he’s ever been, he said. Said.
“It’s a big achievement for me,” Thompson said. “I’ve had some rough days not knowing this could be possible in real time. I’m just going to accept it.”
His 54 points on Monday night was the most since his career-high scoring out of 60 in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers on December 5, 2016. This was Thompson’s fourth time in his 50-point game, and his seventh time a 3 came out more than his 10th.
“He shot after shot, played after play. He was great,” Golden State manager Steve Kerr said.
Thompson has weathered a slump in shooting performance, but the bottom line the Warriors stressed for him is not to force his game and play in the flow of the offense.
teammate draymond green “You don’t have to be the same Clay you were before. Once you understand it and accept it, you become the Clay you were before.”
“When you’re competitive like him, when you’re good like him, it’s hard sometimes,” Green said. “For two years everyone has been suspicious of you. That same passion for doubt is what made you Klay Thompson…you don’t just lose it…it’s embedded in you…his It’s good to see you calm down. He’s not chasing. It’s no longer in his lap. That’s what usually happens when you’re good.
Thompson said he is more relaxed than he was at the start of the season. In late October, he said his eagerness to return to the court and prove the naysayers wrong was a disservice to him.
Now he’s playing with another message in his head. [playing for the Warriors] It’s literally a dream. Most importantly, have fun and play hard. As long as you do these two things, all numbers, all big nights will come. ”
Thompson has been giving himself words of encouragement for some time now.Warriors roster depleted, missing persons included Stephen Curry When Andrew Wiggins For Thompson, it’s even more important to listen to yourself.
The Warriors had just nine active players against the Hawks. The second unit is a duo of 2nd graders and rookies.
Fatigue was evident. Golden State took a 21-point lead from him and missed some big chances in both overtime.
At other times this season, the Warriors could have dropped this game. They lost their only other overtime loss against the Charlotte Hornets in their second road contest of the season. Thompson missed a walk-off shot at the Orlando Magic a few days later. And the Warriors dropped a heartbreaker at the Utah Jazz in his early December. Green even went so far as to say his team is vulnerable.
“We built a gritty MO because I said so,” said Green. “No matter what the circumstances, we are a team that will keep fighting. I don’t think this team has been building his identity all year, but he is starting to build it. I have.”
Against Hawks, Golden State Guard Donte Divincenzo with Thompson jordan pool Each missed from long range during the same sequence.
Even with all the Warriors’ big shots, including Green’s 3-pointer, Golden State had an unlikely hero. Kevon Looney When the final buzzer sounded in the second overtime after missing the previous moment, he tipped the winner off with an aggressive rebound of his own.
“The first one, I rushed through it in such a hurry that I realized nobody was panicking or celebrating. I knew I had time to go back.”
Looney had a career-high 20 rebounds (10 offensive) and 14 points with 5 assists.
“Everybody dreams of getting the winner of the game, so whenever you get the chance…it’s a great moment,” Rooney said.
Thanks to Looney, the small number of defending NBA champions extended their season-best winning streak to five games. Six consecutive wins at home.
The Warriors had four players record at least 44 minutes on Monday. Thompson played a game-high, season-high 46 minutes.
“My tank is on the E,” Thompson later said in an on-court interview with NBC Sports Bay Area. “God, thank you Kevon Looney.”
Earlier this season, Thompson was under strict time limits after not being cleared to participate in the live-action portion of training camp and missing preseason games. He has not yet been cleared to play in both consecutive games.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do this a few months ago, so this is a big milestone for me,” Thompson said. I know it will be more consistent as the season progresses… 30 games to go and I’m feeling great.”
