Klay Thompson smiles as he goes to help Leandro Barbosa off the ground. (Photo : Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
The Golden State Warriors are dominating in the 2016 NBA Playoffs even without their superstar point guard, Stephen Curry. Klay Thompson is flourishing in Curry's absence, leading the Warriors in the past several games.
Since the reigning MVP went down with a right MCL sprain in Game 4 of their first-round series matchup against the Houston Rockets, the Warriors have outscored opposing teams by 72 points. The whole team has caught fire as they are shooting 45 percent from the three-point area and 52 percent overall.
Golden State is being led by Thompson, who exploded for a playoff career-high of 37 points in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Portland Trail Blazers on May 1, Sunday. Draymond Green added a triple-double in the 118-106 win.
According to ESPN, Thompson became the first player to hit the most three-point shots in three playoff games since the rainbow arc was introduced in 1979-80 NBA season. He has made 21 three-pointers in the last three games, hitting seven per game and is currently averaging 27.0 points in the 2016 NBA playoffs.
"He's tough. He does a really good job of using screens. The guys set really good screens for him. He only needs an inch to shoot from anywhere. We really have to key in on him and make it physical," Blazers guard Gerald Henderson said after the game via CBS Sports.
The Warriors are still a great even without Curry as they easily dispatched the Rockets and dominated the Blazers in their first game. Portland has to find a way to slow down Thompson who easily gets it going after hitting his first couple of shots.
It would be very difficult to guard him when he caught fire but his Warriors teammates are also playing very well without their best player. Players like Green, Leandro Barbosa, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Marreese Speights are stepping up their game.
Curry is expected to be re-evaluated this week and may be available for Game 3 in Portland. As for the Blazers, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum has to find their shot after going cold in Game 1.
Even though Lillard scored 30 points, he only shot 8-for-26 with five assists and four steals. On the other hand, McCollum was 5-for-17 from the field and only managed to score 12 points.
Game 2 of this series will be on May 3, Tuesday at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Check the video below for the highlights of Game 1.
