Golden State Warriors need 'Game 6 Klay' to show up

"Game 6 Klay" is a phenomenon that began in the 2016 playoffs, when Thompson had a historic performance in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Facing elimination, Thompson hit a then-playoff record 11 three-pointers in Oklahoma City, scoring 41 points and staving off his team's elimination with a series of ridiculous shots.

Not only did Thompson give the Warriors a home Game 7 that ultimately took them into the NBA Finals, he effectively ended an emerging Thunder dynasty. After that season, Kevin Durant joined the Warriors while the Thunder eventually traded away Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and every member of the team's core.

Thus began the legend of Game 6 Klay. From 2016 on, Thompson has averaged 26.1 points per-game during Game 6 matchups. He has shot 51.7 percent from three-point range in those contests. When the Warriors are facing elimination, the average bumps to 35.3 points per-game.

In the 2019 Finals, Thompson finished with 30 points on just 12 shots in Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors, despite tearing his ACL at the end of the third quarter. Even after the ACL tear, he limped out to drain two free throws.

Now, the Warriors are facing a Game 6 once more. It is not an elimination game, but if Golden State loses, they face a Game 7 in Sacramento -- an arena with the second-best fans in the league, according to an NBA player poll. Game 5 also felt like a must-win and Game 5 Klay delivered 25 points and five threes over the course of a foul-plagued 32 minutes.

Can the Kings handle Game 6 Klay? They're going to need to lean hard on former Warrior Harrison Barnes and hope that the 5 PM PST start time delays Warrior fans from arriving and injecting early energy into the Chase Center. Sacramento's best friend might be the oft-delayed MUNI and BART systems in San Francisco, neither of which run a special "Game 6 Klay" special to get Bay Area fans to the arena on time.

In all their 27 previous playoff series, the Warriors have faced a Game 7 only four times. Game 7 Klay only scores 17.2 points per game, so Game 6 Klay needs to bring it Friday night.