What Andre told Klay after Warriors' emotional Game 1 win

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Veteran leadership is a trait often referenced during the NBA playoffs.

It’s perhaps Andre Iguodala’s best quality, a main reason the Warriors brought him back on a one-year deal to tutor youngsters on the roster like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and James Wiseman.

At age 38, he no longer has the quickness or bounce that once made him one of the league’s top defenders and playmakers. But he has all that knowledge and experience to offer as three-time NBA champion. Sometimes, even some of his more seasoned teammates need to hear his advice.

Klay Thompson didn’t have his best showing in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. He racked up two fouls in the first quarter and another in the second, keeping him on the bench for over 14 minutes of the first half. Entering the fourth quarter, Thompson only had seven points to his name.

The frustration carried over into crunch time.

Thompson nailed a clutch go-ahead 3-pointer with 36.6 seconds left, but he later missed two free-throw attempts with 6.7 seconds remaining that could’ve given Golden State a three-point lead. He responded by locking down Grizzlies guard Ja Morant in the game’s final possession and forcing a miss.

It’s safe to say Game 1 was a roller coaster for the superstar, who is in the middle of his first playoff run since getting injured during the 2019 NBA Finals.

“I played angry,” Thompson admitted to reporters with a smile after Game 1. “I played angry.”

Following Morant's miss at the final buzzer, Thompson stormed around the court in celebration. That’s when Iguodala, who has missed the Warriors’ last two playoff contests and is ruled out for Game 2 with a neck injury -- served up some perspective.

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“Andre grabbed me at the end of the game and said, ‘Keep your composure.’ And then I realized, I need to settle down,” Thompson said. “It’s one game. We didn’t come here to win one [game]."

From Draymond Green's ejection to controversial calls down the stretch, the Warriors battled through adversity to eke out an impassioned victory. But Iguodala reminded Thompson of the team's ultimate goal in what looks like it could be a long, competitive series against Memphis.

“I’m very thankful for Andre’s leadership because he came down, he calmed me down,” Thompson said. “Because, you know, it’s just one game.”

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