Curry, Thompson ready to lead G.S.
SAN FRANCISCO » Many months ago and well before he returned to the court from an injury absence of more than 2K years, Klay Thompson made a bold proclamation: “It’s championship or bust.”
Thompson, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are one step closer to having a chance to make good on those words as they prepare to tip off Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
“I love the moments. I love the pressure. I love playing basketball at the highest level,” Thompson said.
He certainly looks like his old self this postseason after returning in January. Thompson had been sidelined since the 2019 NBA Finals, when he tore the ACL in his left knee during the deciding Game 6 against champion Toronto and had surgery. He was working his way back when he tore his right Achilles tendon and had another operation.
Thompson can’t wait to lead the Warriors into the best-of-seven series against the surprising fourth-seeded Mavericks, who took down top-seeded Phoenix 123-90 in the deciding seventh game of their series Sunday.
“They’re obviously playing at a really high level. They have a lot of guys that have shined this playoff run,” Curry said.
A year ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo had his breakthrough moment on the playoff stage leading Milwaukee to a title, and now this might be Luka Doncic’s time to do so for Dallas.
“Honestly, I never expected to be here. I’m living my best life. This is a dream,” Doncic said Tuesday. “Before Game 7, I was thinking this might be my last game of the NBA season. But I wasn’t ready. I wanted to play basketball. Tomorrow, another basketball game that I will enjoy.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose Warriors reached five straight NBA Finals from 2015-19, knows what his team is facing.
“He’s a really unique player and clearly one of the very best players in the league. I think the ability to shoot the step-back 3 and also get to the rim and pass the ball so well makes him a really difficult cover,” Kerr said.