There will be no sweep, not after the Warriors took a 126-121 loss Sunday in Game 4 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series with the Nuggets. They must settle for taking a three-games-to-one series lead into Game 5 on Wednesday at Chase Center.
Even in defeat, though, the Warriors reconnected with an old and treasured friend.
Playoff Klay.
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Though Klay Thompson was unable to save the Warriors in Game 4 – despite doing more than his share – he accomplished something likely to be more significant as the postseason continues. He banished all remaining fears about his health, any lingering cobwebs, or his rhythm.
By posting his first 30-point playoff game in almost three years, Klay confirmed that he is again ready and able to punish defenses in the biggest of games, under the brightest of spotlights.
Closeout games are the most challenging of all in a series, and none of the Warriors did more to bury the Nuggets than Klay, even as he coped with foul trouble. His shot was money, producing 32 points in 31 minutes. His accuracy and shot selection mostly gold, 12-of-20-from the field, including 7-of-11 from deep. And his defense was sturdier than anyone has a right to expect after all he has been through.
The torn right ACL sustained in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in June 2019. Surgery. Rehabilitation.
Golden State Warriors
The ruptured left Achilles’ tendon incurred in November 2020, as he was completing his ACL rehabilitation. Another surgery. Another rehab.
There was little evidence of aftereffect of either in the final couple weeks of the regular season, and in the first three playoff games. His work in Game 4 should sweep the whole heartbreaking, 31-month odyssey into the trash bin of history.
“Klay was great,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He picked up the two early [fouls], and that changed our rotation a little bit. And he picked up the fourth in the last point-eight of the half, which was kind of infuriating. But he managed to play through that in the second half.”
Foul trouble often disrupts the rhythm of any player, particularly when it happens early. Thompson in the first four minutes scored eight of Golden State’s 13 points, drilling both 3-point shot attempts, but also was whistled twice. Kerr pulled him with 8:14 left in the first quarter, forcing the insertion of Stephen Curry a few minutes earlier than desired.
Thompson spent the rest of the quarter watching from the bench. He returned in the second quarter, making his only shot, taking 10 points and four fouls into halftime.
In the second half, as the Warriors mounted their comeback, Thompson played through foul trouble, scoring 22 points, 15 of which came on five 30-balls.
“Just trying to hunt for great shots, and I felt like I got a lot of good looks tonight,” Thompson said. “I’m not satisfied. When you’re in foul trouble, you’ve got to stay positive on the bench. You’ve got to stay engaged.”
He scored the Warriors’ first seven points of the third quarter, slicing an 11-point deficit to seven in two minutes. He scored 13 of the team’s first 18 points over the first five minutes of the second half. He was, under threat of the whistle, in Playoff Klay form.
“It’s not the first time he’s been in foul trouble,” Kerr said. “He’s been through this before. He’s been through everything. Five trips to The Finals. He has seen it all.
“He kept his composure. Even after picking up his fourth, we decided to start him in the third quarter, just being down and we needed to get into a good rhythm. Klay came through big time. He was fantastic.”
The Warriors were, in general, sub-ordinary. They give Denver 30 points off 17 turnovers. They allowed the Nuggets to shoot 56.2 percent from the field, including 48.4 percent beyond the arc. Golden State nearly won a game in which they were outplayed.
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Knowing that, along with winning three of the first four games in the series, breeds a measure of confidence, if not comfort, as the Warriors approach Game 5.
Knowing Thompson – averaging 24.5 points per game on 52.8 percent from the field, including 50.0 percent from deep – is ready to resume the role of Playoff Klay is downright reassuring for their chances in the games to come.