Warriors’ Klay Thompson carrying vintage form into the playoffs

Klay Thompson’s kind is now the least of Golden State’s worries.

“The proof is on the courtroom simply what he’s seemed like during the last couple weeks,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned after Thompson poured in a season-high 41 factors in a 128-107 victory in New Orleans on Sunday night time to finish the common season. “He’s been in an incredible groove now, so it’s a very good signal.”

Thompson’s latest play is amongst predominant causes the Warriors are heading into the playoffs on a five-game profitable streak. With fellow “Splash Brother” Stephen Curry sidelined by a foot damage, Thompson has scored 30 or extra in three straight video games.

Since Jan. 9, when he resumed a profession derailed greater than two seasons by successive knee and Achilles accidents, Thompson has averaged 20 factors per recreation over 32 video games.

“I pat myself on the again as a result of whenever you undergo the accidents I did, there’s some actually sluggish days,” Thompson mentioned. “There’s so many tedious workout routines and simply build up your muscle mass once more to do what you’re keen on is a problem — one thing I by no means needed to do earlier than. So, to do it twice and are available out and common (20 factors) is inspiring for myself and simply makes we need to maintain going, as a result of I’m nonetheless juts scratching the floor of what I can develop into.”

In New Orleans, Thompson seemed just like the sharp-shooter who may single-handedly take over a recreation.

He scored 21 first-half factors to stake Golden State to a 20-point halftime lead. And when New Orleans tried to make a recreation of it late within the third quarter, Thompson returned to place it away with 15 factors in a five-minute span early within the fourth quarter.

His scoring got here on the whole lot from driving reverse layups and floaters to pull-up jumpers, turnarounds and, in fact, 3s — seven of them.

Kerr mentioned the scoring show Thompson has placed on not too long ago “doesn’t shock me, truly, as a result of it’s Klay.”

“He’s one of many biggest shooters of all time,” Kerr continued. “The most important factor is he’s simply discovered his rhythm. He’s gotten his conditioning. Early on, he needed the whole lot again so badly he was forcing the problem, and it’s simply been actually enjoyable to look at him settle in.”

Simply in time for the third-seeded Warriors’ first playoff sequence in three seasons. They open their first-round sequence at house towards Denver on Saturday night time.

“Numerous ups and downs for myself this season, however I caught with it,” Thompson mentioned. “I’ll proceed to do this, and a few nice momentum going into the playoffs. I can not wait. I am so excited of the playoffs, Having to look at the final two years was painful.”