Klay Thompson focused on enjoying every day as a Warrior with only one year left on his deal after this year
Golden State Warriors veteran shooting guard Klay Thompson put in a vintage performance in the Warriors’ 143-141 double overtime win over Atlanta on Monday night. Thompson scored a season-high 54 points to go along with eight rebounds and 10 made 3-pointers on 53.8% shooting.
Golden State's fifth straight victory came despite the absence of superstar point guard Steph Curry for all five. Following the victory, Thompson stated that he is trying to enjoy every moment as he may be in his final years with Golden State.
“After this year, there’s only one year left on my deal, so I just told myself, like, man, I got to enjoy every day in a Warriors uniform,” Thompson said.
“After this year, there’s only one year left on my deal, so I just told myself, like, man, I got to enjoy every day in a Warriors uniform.“
Klay Thompson on being more relaxed now compared to when he first came back after injuries 🥺 https://t.co/TQLzYUhs5W
Thompson, aged 32, is making $40.6 million this season followed by $43.2 million next season. He is then set to become a free agent in 2024. There has already been speculation about him possibly leaving the Warriors in 2024 with teams like the LA Lakers being mentioned as potential suitors. But for now, it looks like Thompson is locked in on helping the Warriors defend their 2022 title.
For the season, Klay Thompson is averaging 20.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 4 3-pointers per game on 41.2% shooting.
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The Warriors are now 20-18, tied for eighth place in the Western Conference with the Phoenix Suns. However, this includes Golden State having the best home record in the entire NBA at 17-2 and the worst road record at 3-16. So if the Warriors can find a way to play more consistently away from home, they should be back in the West playoff picture soon.
Klay Thompson on the Warriors trusting him down the stretch of close games
Klay Thompson’s season-best 54-point performance included him taking and making multiple clutch shots down the stretch in the fourth quarter and overtime.
During his postgame interview, Thompson spoke about what it’s like for the Warriors to trust him by taking those big shots.
“Those moments where you have the ball with the game on the line down the stretch and your teammates trust you, those are what you really live for as a competitor, as a basketball player. It was hard to see those at times during the rehab process,” Thompson said.
Klay Thompson also had a chance to win the game in double overtime on a 3-point attempt with the game tied with 4.0 seconds remaining. Thompson ended up missing the shot, but luckily his teammate Kevon Looney was there to clean up the miss. Looney proceeded to tip Thompson’s missed three off the backboard before converting on a quick second-chance putback at the buzzer to win the game.
Looney finished the night with 14 points and a season-high 20 rebounds. After the game, Looney spoke about his buzzer-beating game-winner.
Along with Looney, Jordan Poole scored 28 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. He had a rough shooting night going 2-12 beyond the arc.
“I rushed the first one I didn't think I had that much time, but I saw I had more time so I took my time on the second one and I was able to make it,” Looney said.
All-in-all between Thompson’s legendary performance and Looney’s double overtime buzzer-beater, Monday’s game is surely a night that Warriors fans won’t forget any time soon.
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