The Mavericks‘ play-in game victory in Sacramento had special meaning to Klay Thompson. He scored 23 points against the Kings, making five three-pointers along the way. Thompson missed all 10 of his field goal attempts last season against Sacramento in the play-in tournament, which wound up being his last game in a Warriors uniform.
“I wasn’t going to define myself off one bad shooting night,” he said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “I mean, I’ve had some of the greatest shooting nights in the history of the game. So even someone in my caliber can go 0-for. … I try to not even think about that, but at times you do because you’re human. But you just keep going out there and do what you love.”
Dallas will now battle the Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed on Friday.
“I’m still alive. I’m excited,” Thompson said. “I get to go to Memphis. It was really fun (Wednesday) because you could just be fully immersed in the experience, and we’ve had a tumultuous season, to say the least. The injury bug has struck us like I’ve never seen before, but we’re still here playing postseason basketball.”
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison‘s contentious press conference, in which he stated he didn’t regret trading Luka Doncic, wasn’t something he suggested, ESPN’s Sham Charania tweets. “Nico Harrison did not want to do this closed-door roundtable. This was not his idea,” Charania said during an appearance on NBA Countdown. “This was something that was enforced by their owner, Patrick Dumont.”
- Now that Joe Dumars has been officially hired as the Pelicans president of basketball operations, he has two big decisions to make, Rod Walker of NOLA.com writes. His first major decision will be whether to retain head coach Willie Green. As the offseason progresses, he’ll have to choose whether to retain Zion Williamson as the franchise player or trade him and take the franchise in another direction.
- Dumars has spent the last three years as the NBA’s head of basketball operations and commissioner Adam Silver thanked him for his service in a statement relayed by The Athletic’s Sam Amick (Twitter link). “Joe brought tremendous credibility to his role at the league office and is one of the most genuine and respected people in all of basketball,” Silver said. “His exceptional playing career and tenure as an executive provided him with an elite understanding of the game and strong relationships around the NBA. We are grateful for Joe’s leadership over the past three years and wish him well as he begins his new role with the Pelicans.”
- The Warriors are actually the betting favorite to win their first-round series against Houston even though the Rockets are the No. 2 seed. Much of that is due to Golden State’s wealth of playoff experience — Rockets coach Ime Udoka says he and his staff will have to do their best to neutralize that advantage. “The experience for our young guys will be new,” he hold Mark Medina of Athlon Sports. “But as far as me and my staff and what we’ve experienced, I don’t think there is a whole lot that’s going to surprise us or be different. It’s just our young guys getting experience for the first time and going through the playoff prep and all the specifics of how much more you have to dig in.”
Udoka showed a lot of inexperience in the last game against GSW by talking a lot of smack to the warrior during and after the game. That will motivate the warriors which you never want to do motivate the other team.
Who won that game?
Rockets had Draymond elbowing Sengun in the face more than once and GS complaining to the officials all game.
Don’t think for a second Ime isn’t gonna have this young/inexperienced squad not playing with a chip on their shoulder being the second team all time as a 2nd seed the underdog in round one. It’s going to be a great series, but too many are already counting the Rockets out. We’ll see soon.
Thompson was holding Curry all game long. Green foul on Segun should never been called since Segun was in the restricted area and there was no wind up he was going up for the shot. I guess you missed Segun hitting Green in the head on a rebound and no call. The refs did a poor job but now playoff time there will be no chippiness allowed by either team. The series will go 6 or 7 games. Depends on who you listen to who count the other team out.
I think the game will come down to two things … if the refs allow them to play really physically or the Warriors can score 100.
I’m curious to see if Kerr plays JK since he single handedly won them one of their games vs the Rockets during the regular season.
I agree …. Udoka talking smack to Curry usually ends up backfiring. Plus … Curry absolutely loves playing in HOU lol
I expect the Rockets will get the home town calls in Houston as the warriors should get the hometown calls in SF. Its going to be who plays the best defense that will win the series. Kerr will need to play Kuminga because Curry will be double teamed every game so the warriors needs some offense off the bench.
He stood up for his team. They are young. It was gamesmanship and smart. Warriors core is a vet team. They can deal with it. Rockets are a talented team man. Udoka is doing the right things. Warriors better be ready. Talking ain’t helping now ….
Right thing?? Talking smack to Curry at half time? Saying nothing is smart. Udoka knows his team was getting away with gift calls. Let’ssee what you say when the pistons get real phsical with knicks and the calls go Piston’s way when they are at home.
The warriors always get the calls. Every game. They cry non stop and the refs fold to them. The rockets played with playoff intensity and the warriors cried about it. Ime was right to tell him to shut up and play
That is funny! I see you didn’t watch any part of the last game against the Rockets. Forgot the Rockets won a call earlier this season on a foul call fighting for a loose ball but no call on Payton being knocked to the ground. You are a rockets fan wearing rose color glasses.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
You cry almost as much ss Davey J. You care about playing the game. Coaches and players refs will do whatever. Nothing matters but the game in front of of you. A coach should help a young team. You crying about that. You cry about refs. Sounds like scared non to me. Worry about first game. Being healthy and ready. Nothing else matters. Its a new season. A team needs 4 wins. Thats all that should be going thru your mind now.
Wow you are real messed up. Only twice this year I complained about Refs. Games that are obvious. He wasn’t sticking up for his players he went after of all people Curry who wasn’t talking smack. Green I would understand who talks smack. Maybe he is just bitter warrior kept him from winning a ring. Poor guy still mad the under dog warriors kicked them in the finalks.
Sends a message to his team and opposition. I’ve got your back and we aren’t scared of you. Why talk about officials when you have Draymond on your roster and Steph is possibly the biggest smarty pants to ever play the game. Drey gets away with way more than he gets called for. If Green actually sets a legit screen without moving, grabbing, pushing, tripping and judo throwing guys just once in this whole series, I’d be surprised. This series is a toss up only because of the experience. Most athletic team in the league and tough defensively. How many intentional Techs is Draymond giving up just to get a tech on the other guy this series?
They have arm breaker Brooks on their team who fouls and fouls and fouls. watch how many times Curry is held in the game and get back to me on that. Watch Segun over the back push offs. Screens? The warriors don’t do many screens as they used to do. Houston does more screens than the warriors that are moving but never called.
Yes he’s a grub but the more accomplished grub career wise (Green) will get away with way way more, especially if said grub plays for a ratings darling and earners for the league or a big market (Golden State) . You’ll see. Green sets screens like an offensive linesman. It’s a joke
Total gamemanship, Udoka is a great coach … I’ll be super curious if they try to get Durant next year and how he works with Durant.
Durant is the type of player they need but are they willing to give up some young assets for him? Is the Suns willing to bring in young talent than a allstar for Durant? They do look like a team that could getDurant but the Suns owner is not the smartest type.
Ime’ has to remember he’s coaching and not playing. That fire and edge he brought as basically a “walk-on” nba player many times works against him as a coach when he’s trash talking and getting personal with players. He’s getting opponents riled up to go off against defenders who aren’t as good defensively as Udoka was, and they’re catching the brunt of his “overzealousness”.
MEMPHIS VS OKC
Mavs aregetting a lot of praise but the kings played no defense. Memphis can play defense so its not going to be easy for Mavs to score at will.
OKC v DAL
“Even someone in my caliber…”. There are few NBA players as full of themselves as Klay Thompson.
I mean, in regard to shooting, he has a point.
Agreed, especially since he has not been the very good player he was up until 2019. He has been the dictionary definition of “mid” ever since coming back from injury.
37 points in a quarter means its not totally out of pocket for him. He has 60 point games. But he needs to know he isn’t really a starter anymore. His current ceiling is “6th man on a good team”.
We will see how this plays out Cotton
I see Warriors vs Rockets as 50-50. Rockets more talented and deeper. Warriors more experienced. Rockets start growing up they can win. Dray is going to have to score this se. At least 10 pts a gm. Need Kuminga for this one. Especially his D. Need to see 2way Kuminga. This Rockets team too young to remember. Warriors were their nemesis for yrs. Tge city hasn’t forgotten. The home court should help them. I see a good series….
Klay is such a head case “ I’ve had some of the best shooting nights of all time…” is what someone with a lack of confidence says
Houston in six. Rox are really good. I have them losing to OKC in the WCF.
Here’s my take since my team decided to let Herro go off for 38 and didn’t even try.
I got Warriors in 6. Butler and Draymond will create havoc for Jalen Green and Sengun. Everyone knows Rockets are a great defensive team, but Warriors have the two best players in the series on their team. Butler will frustrate and bait Green into fouls and Curry will go off in spurts. Houston is on their way but they are a year away, and if that projected 9th pick lands around the 4-6 area, they can add further young elite talent for their nucleus next year, and beyond.
Oh, and if fans are already are talking about the referees and calls, then it’s a wrap. Let them play and see what happens.
Warriors win games 1,3,4 and 6, but highly uber competitive from basketball intensity purposes.