SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson took a seat on the postgame podium, proudly referred to as Jordan Poole “a star within the making,” then reminded everybody how Steph Curry’s presence “makes us a championship crew.”
OK, however, what do you say, Klay, about your hard-fought return to the playoff stage?
“So particular,” Thompson answered after Saturday evening’s 123-107, series-opening win over Denver. “Earlier than the tip, I thought of all the times within the fitness center, the times within the physician’s workplace, the surgical procedure desk.
“To fly up and down the court docket, knock shot downs, play stable protection, it was a surreal second for me.”
No, he was not Golden State’s main scorer, a title that went to Poole with 30 factors in his playoff debut.
Nor did Thompson essentially draw the loudest cheers, not when Curry drops in 16 factors in 22 restricted minutes recent off a foot damage.
However all seven of Thompson’s baskets drew appreciation from the Chase Heart crowd — and, seemingly, from himself — within the Warriors’ win over the Denver Nuggets in Saturday evening’s first-round opener.
“To play in entrance of the group we had, I give Dub Nation wonderful credit score,” Thompson stated. “They had been so loud after we ran from the tunnel.
“It’s one thing I gained’t take with no consideration — playoff basketball. It was very surreal for me.”
As for Thompson’s laid-back persona, he put that on maintain. This was playoff time. His face unleashed an occasional snarl, and his 3-point stroke got here with a 50-percent success price (5-of-10).
Thompson’s depth actually roared 6:25 earlier than halftime, when he and Nuggets ahead Aaron Gordon every drew technical fouls. Gordon, a San Jose native and former Mitty star, certainly didn't endear himself to the Bay Space with that squabble. Alas, there have been no fisticuffs, nor any nefarious acts towards Thompson’s surgically repaired knee and Achilles.
“Good, old style trash discuss,” Thompson stated. “I missed the competitiveness of it. That stuff will get me going infrequently. Aaron’s aggressive. So am I. I’m not going to again down.”
Sporting a black headband with an identical sweatband round his left elbow, Thompson sprang up and down the court docket all evening and not using a signal of his earlier leg points. He had no hitch in his giddy-up.
Alas, Thompson wasn’t spot on from the leap. He missed a 3-point try on the Warriors’ opening possession, and never lengthy afterward he dedicated the primary of three turnovers.
Subsequent journey down the court docket got here traditional Klay: he vengefully hit a 3-pointer alongside the appropriate wing, off a Draymond Inexperienced help.
“Klay had a giant evening capturing the ball,” coach Steve Kerr stated.
Within the warmth of competitors, it was straightforward to neglect all of the rehabilitation and trials Thompson endured since his anterior cruciate ligament tear within the 2019 NBA Finals and his proper Achilles tear earlier than the 2020-21 season.
This new Klay x KP Thrive business 🥹 pic.twitter.com/lNOXDsYOQd
— Krystle (@Krystle_Bee) April 16, 2022
Thompson missed 941 days. The variety of minutes he performed throughout this common season’s comeback: 941, a nifty stat provided by Raymond Ridder, the Warriors’ vp of communications.
Kerr stated earlier than tipoff how Thompson had regained a harmonious stability to his life, how the previous years of well being points had been “actually, actually laborious on him,” how his ardour for basketball couldn't get replaced just by boating within the bay or hanging along with his canine, Rocco.
Each Thompson bucket (7-of-15 field-goal makes an attempt, 5-of-10 on 3-point pictures) commanded respect, like after his layup and ensuing 3-pointer that put the Warriors forward 51-45 simply earlier than halftime.
Now, he was not a defensive menace. He allowed the occasional drives to the ring in his one-on-one matchup. He had no steals.
However he was again. He appreciated it. The gang did, too.