The Klay Game

05/05/2023 The Klay Game

By: Jeff Yoder

Klay Thompson (30 Points, Eight 3s) Joins NBA’s Top Playoff Performances in Warriors’ Blowout Against Lakers (127-100)

The champs aren’t going down without a fight. After dropping Game 1 at home, the Warriors fired back to blow out the Lakers in Game 2 by 27. Klay Thompson had the hot hand in Game 2, filling up 30 points on eight 3s (8-for-11) to lead the way with the Lakers keying on Steph Curry (20 points, 12 assists). Golden State crushed L.A. by 18 in the 2nd quarter and 19 in the 3rd quarter before going to cruise control. It was Anthony Davis who had the hot hand in Game 1, but he was held to just 11 points on Thursday. Whoever has the hot hand seems to take over any given night in these playoffs, so we’re looking at the best performances so far in Rounds 1 and 2.

Gm 2: Warriors def. Lakers (127-100) | Series Tied (1-1)

 

Best 2023 Playoff Performances (Remaining Teams)

 

Western Conference

Warriors: Stephen Curry — 50 pts (seven 3s) (Rd 1, Gm 7)

Warriors: Klay Thompson — 30 pts (eight 3s) (Rd 2, Gm 2)

Lakers: Anthony Davis — 30 pts, 23 rebs (Rd 2, Gm 1)

Nuggets: Nikola Jokic — 43 pts, 11 rebs, 6 asts (Rd 1, Gm 4)

Nuggets: Jamal Murray — 40 pts (six 3s), 5 asts (Rd 1, Gm 2)

Nuggets: Nikola Jokic — 39 pts, 16 rebs, 5 asts (Rd 2, Gm 2)

Suns: Devin Booker — 45 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts (Rd 1, Gm 3)

Suns: Devin Booker — 47 pts, 8 rebs, 10 asts  (Rd 1, Gm 5)

Suns: Kevin Durant — 31 pts, 11 rebs, 6 asts (Rd 1, Gm 4)

 

Eastern Conference

76ers: James Harden — 45 pts (seven 3s) (Rd 2, Gm 1)

Celtics: Jayson Tatum — 39 pts, 11 rebs, 5 asts (Rd 2, Gm 1)

Celtics: Jaylen Brown — 35 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts (Rd 1, Gm 5)

Heat: Jimmy Butler — 56 pts, 9 rebs (Rd 1, Gm 4)

Heat: Jimmy Butler — 42 pts, 8 rebs (Rd 1, Gm 5)

Knicks: Jalen Brunson — 30 pts, 5 rebs (Rd 2, Gm 2)

 

5 Eye-Popping Postseason Stats

Jaylen Brown’s 3-Point Shooting: 23-for-43, 3pt (53.5%)

LeBron James’s 3-Point Shooting: 9-for-49, 3pt (18.4%)

Nikola Jokic’s Averages: 27.7 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 7.8 apg

Jimmy Butler’s Scoring Frenzy: 35.5 ppg (leads all playoffs)

Anthony Davis’s Ups & Downs: 30-Plus Points (3x), 13 Points or Less (3x)

 

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Warriors Even Series With Lakers Behind Klay’s 30

B/R: Lakers Can’t Afford Anymore Off-Nights From Anthony Davis

SI: Bucks Fire Head Coach Mike Budenholzer After Playoff Collapse

 

Photo: Wally Skalij / Getty Images