Golden State Warriors managed to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-101 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, but it obviously wasn’t that easy as the final score indicates. According to Warriors’ guard Klay Thompson, playing the Pelicans “was tiring”, a lot more than it was the First Round series against the San Antonio Spurs.
“Man, it was tiring,” – said Thompson. “The Spurs, they are a little older, so they play a little more methodical. They try to beat us up in the half court and low block. This team is kind of like playing ourselves. It’s like, you make a bucket, you can’t relax. You have to sprint back, find a shooter and they are pushing the tempo. It’s a whole different ballgame.“
The tempo of the game, however, didn’t stop Klay Thompson from scoring a game-high 27 points and adding six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. He even managed to find the time and complain to his teammate Draymond Green.
“Klay looked at me on the bench and said, ‘Man, Draymond, I got more tired tonight than I did in any game against the Spurs,’” – said Green with a laugh. “That kind of sums it up. It’s a completely different tempo. They are really pushing the ball like he said, and nonetheless, as long as we are getting back into transition and not giving up easy stuff, I think that plays into our hands.“
Klay Thompson might get some break in Game 2 on Tuesday since the Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is set to return to court after being sidelined since late March due to a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee. Curry is listed probable, but won’t have minute restrictions if he ends up playing in the game.
