Warriors GM Bob Myers reveals reason for Klay Thompson’s 54-point game

Myers reveals best part of Klay’s 54-point masterclass originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

Klay Thompson had dropped 24 or more points in his last four games entering Wednesday, including a 54-point masterclass in the Warriors’ 143-41 double-overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks two days earlier.

Warriors general manager Bob Myers revealed what he believes is behind Thompson’s recent surge on “Warriors Pregame Live.”

“You know, I’m happy for him,” Myers told Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli before the game against Detroit Pistons. “It didn’t look forced. I think that’s what I like the most about it. I mean, [we] certainly need his offense without [Steph] Curry and [Andrew] Wiggins. And so you’re going to ask more of him than you ever would with how depleted we are.”

Myers noted the 32-year-old guard appears more patient, which has resulted in an offensive outburst. Asking Thompson to be patient can prove difficult, though, considering his high expectations for himself.

“I think the best part of that [54-point game] was what he said afterward, which was, ‘I’m taking it day by day’ ” Myers said. “… There was a part of his game he was trying to force, and when anybody plays basketball and you’re not patient with it, and even Steph, talking to Steph while that was going on, he said, ‘I’ve been telling him, let the game come to him.’

“But when you’re trying to get something back and you have that kind of pride and competitiveness like Klay does, telling someone to be patient [is] easier said than done. But now we’re starting to see that, and we’re starting to see the best version of Klay, and [I’m] happy for him. It’s helping us win when we’re this many men down.”

RELATED: Klay ‘incredible’ in vintage 54-point effort in double-OT win

Thompson’s 2022-23 season has featured peaks and valleys, including NBA on TNT analyst Charles Barkley saying the veteran is on the decline. Nonetheless, all the noise seems to be behind Thompson.

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