‘Game 6 Klay’: Thompson speaks out about the pressure to prove himself while with the Warriors

Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson has long been recognized as one of the cornerstones of the Golden State Warriors dynasty. Over 13 years in the Bay Area, Thompson’s sharp shooting and defensive tenacity transformed the Warriors into one of the most feared franchises in NBA history. His bond with Stephen Curry as the “Splash Brothers” created an era of basketball that redefined spacing and three-point shooting. But while fans celebrated his iconic performances, Thompson recently revealed that behind the highlight reels and the fun nickname of “Game 6 Klay” was a reality shaped by intense pressure and expectation.

Speaking on his former teammate Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner’s podcast, Point Forward, Thompson opened up about how he embraced the weight of his reputation. “You gotta embrace it like… gotta embrace it,” he explained. “So there is, I mean, a little pressure, but you know you love that feeling of the pressure.” This candid statement provided fans with a glimpse into the mindset of a player who thrived in the most crucial moments but also carried the heavy responsibility of living up to a legend built around clutch performances.

The Birth of “Game 6 Klay”

The origin of Thompson’s nickname can be traced back to May 29, 2016, during the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors trailed the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-2, with their historic 73-win season hanging by a thread. Facing elimination in Game 6, Thompson erupted for 41 points, including an astonishing 11 three-pointers. Nineteen of those points came in the fourth quarter, as he almost single-handedly carried the Warriors to a season-saving victory. From that night on, “Game 6 Klay” was more than just a nickname—it was a symbol of reliability under the brightest lights.

Thompson himself reflected on how meaningful that moniker was: “It’s just some that when you get a nickname or something like that, it’s just not handed out.” His performances in later high-stakes games only solidified the legend. In the 2018 Western Conference Finals, he poured in 35 points against the Houston Rockets, once again saving Golden State’s season. A year later, he added another 27 points in a Game 6 clash with Houston, hitting seven triples and sending the Warriors back to the Finals. Even in 2019, before tearing his ACL against the Toronto Raptors, Thompson was dominating with 30 points, proving once again that he was at his best when everything was on the line.

Thompson explained how fleeting but powerful those moments were: “You can’t recreate it like those moments don’t come, they won’t be for a lifetime, that’s for sure. So, when they are the few ones that are in front of you, just embrace it.”

Warriors Legacy and Transition to Dallas

Throughout his prime years, Thompson was one of the most consistent two-way guards in the NBA. In the 2016–17 season, he averaged 22.3 points per game while maintaining an elite efficiency, proving that he wasn’t just about clutch moments—he was a nightly force. Yet, time eventually catches up with even the greatest shooters. After injuries and changing team dynamics, Thompson’s chapter with the Warriors came to an end in 2024.

That summer, he was part of the league’s first-ever six-team sign-and-trade deal, which sent him to the Dallas Mavericks. For Warriors fans, it was the end of an era. For Thompson, it was a chance to write a new chapter while carrying the weight of his legendary reputation. In his first season with Dallas, he averaged 14 points per game on 39.1% shooting from beyond the arc. The Mavericks reached the Play-In Tournament but fell short against Memphis in their attempt to claim the No. 8 seed.

While the numbers weren’t the same as his prime years, Thompson still provided valuable shooting and experience to a Mavericks team searching for consistency alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.

The Question: Does “Game 6 Klay” Still Exist?

As Thompson enters his second year with Dallas at age 35, fans and analysts alike are wondering whether the legend of “Game 6 Klay” can still live on. His role has shifted, and while he may no longer be the focal point of an offense, his ability to hit clutch shots remains a dangerous weapon. Mavericks fans are hopeful that, should the team face an elimination game, Thompson will once again summon the magic that made him a Warriors icon.

Patrick Beverley, in a recent commentary, suggested that Golden State could have won more championships if they had Paul George instead of Thompson. While the debate may linger, what’s undeniable is that Klay Thompson’s legacy is defined not just by statistics, but by unforgettable moments that shaped the course of NBA history.

Thompson himself admitted that those legendary nights can’t be replicated endlessly. Still, he remains a competitor who embraces pressure, even at this stage of his career. For Dallas, the hope is simple: that one more time, when everything is on the line, “Game 6 Klay” shows up in a Mavericks jersey.