/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49847839/usa-today-9339121.0.jpg)
The Golden State Warriors knew they'd need someone to step up in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in the wake of Draymond Green’s suspension, and it turned out that someone was Klay Thompson.
Thompson was completely and totally on fire from the perimeter in the first half, scoring 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-8 from three-point range, as the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers went into the locker room tied at 61.
Klay went off for 26pts on 8/12 FGAs, 6/8 from 3 in that 1st half#NBAFinals record for 3PM in a game is 8 (R.Allen) pic.twitter.com/wlx02jOjni
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 14, 2016
Klay was unguardable at times, extending his range to “no way he’s taking a shot from back there, right?”, including this beauty:
OK, now Klay Thompson is just showing off.... pic.twitter.com/FQUFrIxbr1
— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) June 14, 2016
Lights out https://t.co/OiItLunixU
— Ballers Only™ (@BallersO) June 14, 2016
You might recall that Klay threw some shade at LeBron James in the lead up, saying that perhaps James had gotten his “feelings hurt,” and that it was a “man’s league." James had a pretty first half, but he “only" scored 25 points, and he needed six more shots than Klay to do it.
Unfortunately for Klay, he didn’t get a lot of help from his teammates, while James and teammate Kyrie Irving went crazy — they ended up combining for 82 points on 54 shots as the Cavs staved off elimination with a victory.
But we’ll always have the first half!
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 14, 2016
Also, it’s never a bad time to drag out this bad boy. Go Cougs!