The Golden State Warriors takes the NBA Finals to Boston, Massachusetts after evening the series at one game apiece. But anyone who watched the first two games of the series would have observed a five-time All-Star trying to power through his sudden physical limitations.
Klay Thompson went missing in Game 1 AND Game 2: 10-33 FG (30%) 4-15 3PT (26%) pic.twitter.com/gWV0EhbuLH — Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) June 6, 2022
What’s With the Struggles? Klay Thompson, who is one of the best scorers in league history has yet to look the part against the Celtics, going 10-for-33 from the floor and making just 26% of his three-point shots. “I’ve been through shooting slumps before and it’s all about how you respond,” Thompson told reporters in Boston on Tuesday. “So come Game Three, I won’t do much differently. I’ll play with great pace and hunt great shots because when I do that, I tend to have a big night” he said.
Klay Thompson really struggled in Game 2 of the NBA Finals 😬 11 points 4-of-19 FG 1-of-8 3PT 1-of-13 on contested shots 2 turnovers pic.twitter.com/zcsCMT0Fm3 — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 6, 2022
The 32-year-old missed two full seasons with leg injuries and some doubted the trio of Thompson, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green would get a chance to contend for a fourth championship together. But after finishing with one of the worst record in the league in 2020 and missing the playoffs last season, they are back in the Finals for the sixth time in eight years. Kudos to Boston’s Defense Celtic’s defense certainly deserves some credit for Thompson’s struggles in the series. They did not emerge the league’s best defensive team during the regular season for no reason, and they have done a commendable job of limiting his looks. Be that as it may the real issue with Klay isn’t his scoring but rather his consistency, having just 6 games over 20 points is not consistent enough. He has 8 games in which he has scored 15 or fewer, including both home games in the NBA Finals.
I'm concerned about KLAY THOMPSON A LOT! pic.twitter.com/BcrADMJ2Kq — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 7, 2022
His shooting as of late is even more of a concern. He’s shot 10-for-33 during the NBA Finals. The Warriors escaped with an even 1-1 series after the first two games, and Thompson’s individual ceiling has been what’s partially been holding Golden State back.
For the Warriors to Prevail If the Golden State Warriors are going to win the NBA Finals, they need Thompson to figure it out. He’s shown his ability to be an All-Star-caliber player this postseason, but he will need to do it on a regular basis, especially from deep. He is just 4-for-15 from three this postseason.
Thompson improving his play is paramount in the Dubs figuring out how to hit their ceiling as a team. He must, at least, limit the subtle reminders of his regression.
"I'll probably just YouTube Game 6 Klay.” Klay Thompson on getting out of his shooting slump 😅 (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/2F2OgCGv4A — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 7, 2022
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