Golden State Warriors: 3 fantastic games to rewatch during hiatus
By Tony Pesta
2. Game 6 of 2016 Western Conference Finals
It’s a game that will be talked about for years to come. Klay Thompson went full hero mode in Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals to avoid elimination and help complete a 3-1 comeback.
Before we dive into the actual game itself, let’s set the stage and reflect on the 2015-16 season. The Warriors had the greatest regular season of all-time, winning a record 73 games while Stephen Curry captured the league’s first-ever unanimous MVP award.
The Dubs avoided a championship hangover from the year before and came back even stronger in 2016. However, their playoff run was proving to be troublesome as injuries plagued Curry early on.
A strained knee caused the two-time MVP to miss four straight games. Though he looked good in his return versus the Portland Trail Blazers, nothing could prepare the Dubs for a smack in the face from OKC.
The Thunder had reached full desperation. It had been over four years since they first reached the NBA Finals in 2012 and with Kevin Durant’s looming free agency approaching the team knew this might be their last chance to compete.
After knocking off an underrated San Antonio Spurs team in six games, the Thunder jumped out to a 3-1 lead over the Warriors. Suddenly, their historic season was on the line. Golden State did a great job of defending their home floor in Game 5 but it was a showdown on the road that would truly test them.
An early 10 point deficit had the Warriors on the brink of elimination. With his back against the wall, Klay Thompson erupted for the greatest game of his career. He drilled an NBA playoff record 11 3-pointers and hit numerous big shots to keep the Warriors alive.
You will be hard-pressed to find a more heroic performance from a single player in NBA history. This game is a classic and should be remembered for decades.