Klay Thompson could have spiraled in Game 4.
After scoring eight points within the game’s first four minutes, Thompson’s two quick personal fouls forced coach Steve Kerr to pull him out for Steph Curry early. The Warriors’ rotations were a bit off-kilter, Thompson’s rhythm interrupted.
This might have spelled trouble in a regular-season game, but Thompson isn’t playing like he was in the regular season. Back on the big stage, Thompson is playing like his old self.
In 31 minutes on Wednesday, his shot never wavered as he hit seven 3-pointers on 11 attempts, each one keeping the Warriors within striking distance until the bitter end of their first playoff loss this year. Now his 21 total 3-pointers made led the league in these playoffs heading into Tuesday's games.
“It’s been really awesome, but I’m not satisfied,” Thompson said. “It’s cool to lead the playoffs in threes, but I want to lead the Finals in threes. We have a long way to go to that point.”
Thompson’s throwback performance makes those Finals aspirations feel perfectly attainable; if he continues to shoot efficiently, the Warriors’ could pull away as the best offense in these playoffs with Thompson, Curry and Jordan Poole creating an unparalleled pick-your-poison conundrum for opposing defenders.
He’s been efficient, averaging 10.5 3-point attempts per game, hitting 50% from beyond the arc in four games. Only the Grizzlies' Desmond Bane comes close, averaging 10 3-pointers per game at a 49% clip. Thompson is averaging 18 field-goal attempts per game and making them at a 52% clip and is averaging 24.5 points per game.
While Thompson’s return to basketball was first a celebration of triumph after two major surgeries, he’s used these first four playoff games to flip the script. All his peers cheering for his return have to fear him again.
He has that look in his eye again, the same look he had shooting a playoff-record 11 3-pointers with 41 points in Game 6 against Oklahoma City in 2016. A disarmingly detached gaze with his lightning-quick release.
Thompson sometimes lost that look during his regular-season return while he tried to regain his footing. He made it a point to soak in the crowd love during his spectacular games, but looked visibly frustrated during the clunkers.
That also comes with defensive shortcomings. The former All-Defensive player has had trouble keeping players in front of him — the Warriors will need to throw Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II to help defend quick guards.
Kerr often noted that Thompson was pressing with just a half-season to work with, looking for the home run play to feel like ‘that guy’ again.
Turns out, that guy wasn’t far off. The disarmingly detached gaze might come from the meditative mindset Thompson works at during his off time. After practice on Tuesday, Thompson went live on Instagram from his boat on his way home. Minutes earlier at Chase Center, he said his time on the water, fishing, reading and meditating, helps him keep an even keel during the playoffs.
“There’s more to life than the internet and NBA Twitter,” Thompson said. “You have to realize you can’t take work home with you, though there are days where it sucks when you lose in front of the world.
“That’s why we get paid to do what we do. That’s why the stakes are so high, people’s emotions are invested and professional sports, people pay their hard-earned money to yell at you and tell you how they feel and that’s just the nature of the business. The more you understand that, the better of you’ll be dealing with criticism.”
After eight trips to the playoffs, Thompson has some perspective about the value of quieting his mind. He’s been open about the trauma he experienced rehabbing for 941 days. Now it looks as if he’s at peace at the best time.
“When you give 100 percent effort,” he said. “You can live with the results.”
