NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: WARRIORS VS GRIZZLIES

May 9, 2022

Klay Thompson

Golden State Warriors

Game 4: Postgame

Golden State Warriors 101, Memphis Grizzlies 98

Q. So much going on today, tell us through hearing Mike taking the job with Sacramento, the tragedy with Adreian Payne and knowing Steve was out, were you guys ricochetting all over with emotion? What was the feeling like going into this game?

KLAY THOMPSON: Yeah, it was an emotional day. Prayers up to Adreian and his family, and Draymond, I know they played together. Just a terrible loss of life and his legacy will live on. It was just a sad day.

Really happy for Mike B., though. He's going to do great things for Sacramento. His head coaching record for Warriors playoff game I think is undefeated.

We dud miss Steve a lot, just his voice, his presence. But we've been here before in 2017 when Mike took over and we rolled off a lot of wins. I reflected on that a lot. Just an up and down day as far as emotions were going.

Q. What do you make of the fourth quarter, Steph being Steph?

KLAY THOMPSON: Yeah, absolutely. Me, him and JP, the shots were not falling like we wanted them to. But that's just Steph. He has that mindset where he is the best shooter of all time and it just takes one good look at the rim or free throw line and when that happens, the floodgates open, and we stuck with it tonight as a whole. I'm very proud of the way everyone competed.

During this time of the year, some days are going to be ugly as far as offensively but we really got gritty on the defensive end and willed it out.

Q. Most of the night, you and Steph had a tough time getting your shot but in the fourth quarter it changed. Do you feel if you stayed close, your experience would make a difference?

KLAY THOMPSON: Yeah, definitely. I had a feeling we were going to win the game when Bane hit the tough shot to end the third, we just willed it to four, and I just knew we could -- we were going to win the game. I just had a feeling. It was ugly, but at this time of year, all that matters is that win.

And I'm so proud of everyone in this organization for how we fought tonight. Even though they are missing their best player, they still have a great record without him and played very good defense and just a gutsy performance all around tonight.

Q. How comfortable do you feel with Steph walking to the line several times in the final minute?

KLAY THOMPSON: I think I speak for everyone in the arena where we feel very confidential. He's a multiple free throw champ and I think he's probably over 90 percent for playoff year. That's the one guy, I mean, we've got a few guys, but you do not want to send him to the line.

Q. Mike credited Andre and Draymond specifically as leaders to help him get through this. Did you notice them, is this were they saying more? Was there real leadership?

KLAY THOMPSON: I think so. They always have conversations on the side just talking hoops, talking defense, and Andre has been such a great presence for us this year, not only for the young guys but us, the coaching staff and Draymond is one of the most intelligent mind on the basketball court. I know they were probably bouncing ideas off each other and it worked out.

Q. Where were you when you found out Steve would be out tonight? What was your reaction? Did he deliver a message to the team over the phone?

KLAY THOMPSON: I was at the facility, I think it was at shootaround this morning. We miss Steve, he's our leader, but Mike B., we're lucky we have a coach like Mike and Kenny. Mike B. has so much playoff experience. Kenny does as well. So give our whole coaching staff credit. They really good a great job tonight.

Q. When you have a game where your shots are not falling, what do you draw from to be able to provide an impact on the game and still stay resilient?

KLAY THOMPSON: Obviously playing hard defense, getting on the glass, and making them when they count. So no one likes shooting 6-for-20, but we won the game, and I know myself and I'm bound to bounce back.

Q. You guys obviously got the tough Grizzlies team without Ja Morant. What did you see in the last few minutes? Do you think they missed him, and now going back to Memphis, what do you expect out of them going into Wednesday?

KLAY THOMPSON: Of course they miss him. The guy averages like 30 a night, gets a lot of tough buckets, they definitely miss him. I think Wednesday is going to be the hardest one yet, it always is, the closeout. We have to put this behind us and put together a good game plan.

Q. What do you think of the reaction to Brooks, and do you think the booing coaxed him into some tough shots? He obviously had a pretty bad night from the floor.

KLAY THOMPSON: Possibly but our fans are passionate and they will let you hear it if you have wronged them. I guess good job Dub Nation.