Klay’s game-winner, clutch plays just what he, Warriors needed

Klay’s game-winner, clutch plays just what he, Warriors needed originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Klay Thompson showcased his five-time NBA All-Star skills with four pivotal moments in the final 124 seconds of Wednesday night’s game.

Each play was crucial for the Warriors, and the timing of the fourth was extraordinary.

With the Warriors trailing Sacramento by one point with less than 10 seconds remaining, Thompson received a pass from Draymond Green, dribbled to the left corner of the foul line, and made a stunning game-winning shot.

The ball dropped through the net with just 0.2 seconds left on the clock, securing a gloriously hideous 102-101 victory in front of an anxious but eventually ecstatic sellout crowd at Chase Center.

“It was a big, big, big shot for us – and for him,” said Stephen Curry.

“Hitting a game-winning shot like that makes you feel like you’re on Cloud 9,” Thompson added. “I feel amazing. I could have played better, but it’s a great win, and I feel wonderful.”

This shot was the highlight of a series of plays Thompson made late in a game that lacked rhythm and aesthetic appeal.

First, he assisted Draymond Green with a pocket pass that led to a crucial layup. Then, Thompson scored a layup himself after receiving a pass from Green. On the defensive end, Thompson blocked Harrison Barnes’ shot attempt, resulting in a shot-clock violation.

Trailing by one point with 38.4 seconds left, the Warriors had possession of the ball.

“That block was huge,” said Green. “For him to prevent Harrison from getting that shot off was a big play because it led to a shot-clock violation and allowed us to set up our offense.

“When you make plays like that, the basketball gods usually reward you.”

And the ultimate reward came 38.2 seconds later when Thompson made the game-winning shot.

This was Thompson’s third game-winning shot in the final seconds of a regular-season game, adding to his legacy as a clutch player.

“He’s made a million big shots for us over the years,” said coach Steve Kerr. “But hitting one with .2 seconds left when you’re down, that’s a thrill for anybody, no matter how many times you’ve done it before.”

For Thompson, these plays washed away the frustration he felt in the first three quarters of the game. Although he struggled with his shooting, he contributed defensively and, ultimately, made the shot that secured the victory.

“I didn’t shoot the ball as well as I wanted tonight, but I stuck with it defensively,” Thompson explained. “And that’s why I was able to hit that shot at the end.”

Thompson’s performance throughout the game was not up to his usual standards, leading to speculation about his contract status being an annoyance. He will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and while negotiations have cooled, they could resume at any time.

However, Thompson’s teammates and coaches were thrilled to see him come through in the clutch.

“He’s been working to find his rhythm and how to start the season better,” said Green. “To see him hit a big shot like that in the clutch for us was huge. It was even better to see his reaction.”

Thompson celebrated with joy and exchanged chest bumps with his teammates, especially Green, who received an extra tap on the chest from Klay. Thompson was redeemed, feeling great about himself and his significant contribution to a victory against a rival.

“I’m really happy for Klay,” added Kerr. “He’s put in a ton of work this summer, and although the season started a little slow for him in camp, he’s finding his groove, and that was obviously a big play.”

Thompson and the Warriors hope to maintain their momentum and defensive intensity. The front office wants to see if Thompson can still perform at an All-Star level, and that’s precisely what Thompson aims to do. This game was a solid step towards that goal.

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