BOSTON — Klay Thompson says he prefers to spend his free time sailing around the Bay Area regardless of what time of the year it is. But on those select days when the temperature is in the low 60s, the sun is shining and the vibes are immaculate, the Golden State Warriors guard makes multiple efforts to do so.
Thompson, an Aquarius by birth, believes that the ocean has special healing properties that he just can’t get in a pool or a cold tub. For him, it’s not just about healing the body, but the mind and soul as well. Being immersed in nature brings him peace. And when he gazes up at the sky from his ship, he swears he feels a little nearer to God.
“It’s really my happy place, besides the hardwood,” Thompson said.
That’s how Thompson spent his Sunday ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, and his tranquil oceanic retreat had the desired effect.
In the Warriors’ 104-94 win at Chase Center on Monday night — which also happened to be the three-year anniversary of his devastating ACL injury in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals — Thompson scored 21 points on 50% shooting and knocked down 5-of-11 shots from deep, his best efficiency from beyond the arc in the finals. Ten of his 21 points were scored in the third quarter when Golden State needed a spark. His pair of 3-pointers late in the period kept his team within striking distance.
Refreshed, the Warriors star strung together back-to-back strong defensive performances as well.
“Last couple games he’s looked great defensively,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “I think there’s been times earlier in the playoffs where he’s looked really good, as well. But I do think he’s improved as this series has gone on.”
Although Thompson’s offensive struggles have been well-documented in these Finals, it appears that he’s creating rhythm at just the right time. Over his last five quarters of play, Thompson’s shooting 55% from the field and 50% from deep. And found the hot hand just in time for a Game 6 Thursday night at TD Garden, playoff situations where he’s historically at his best.
When asked about the success of “Game 6 Klay” on Wednesday, Kerr said he can’t make sense of it. He added that it has nothing to do with the team or strategy. It’s all about Thompson’s “killer instinct.”
“Just his personality, no moment is too big for him in terms of hooping, enjoying himself, embracing hostile crowds, or if we’re at home enjoying the home atmosphere,” Stephen Curry said. “Obviously, the OKC game is the one at the top of the list in terms of how much that meant individually and for us as a team to come back in that series. He has a crack for those types of big moments. Just so happened to be Game 6. And he has another opportunity to add to that tale tomorrow.”
Thompson has the chance to add to a number of legendary Game 6 performances on Thursday night. In Game 6 of the 2018 Western Conference finals against the Rockets, he dropped 35 points and knocked down 9 triples. In the Warriors’ Game 6 win over Houston the following postseason, he scored 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting and went 7-of-13 from 3-point range. More recently, his 30-point performance in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals helped send the Grizzlies home.
But Thompson’s best Game 6 moment came in the 2016 Western Conference finals against the Thunder, where he poured in 41 points and drilled a playoff record 11 shots from behind the arc.
“I realize I’m on a really good streak right now of Game 6s,” Thompson said. “I don’t know how long that will last. Hopefully, obviously tomorrow.”
Thompson wants to live up to his nickname on Thursday night, but doesn’t want it to happen at the expense of his team. While he wants to have a big game, he’s not going to put any additional pressure on himself. He simply wants to play free, trust his teammates and build on his last two games.
At the end of the day, he isn’t concerned about his individual performance as long as it produces a winning result. As long as he control what he can — his effort, his focus — he knows he’ll have a strong night that could end with his team hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy once again.
And if he can find time to ease his mind on the ocean ahead of Game 6, he’ll take advantage of the opportunity.
“I know there’s a lot of beautiful waters around these parts,” Thompson said. “So I’m not ruling it out.”
CJ Holmes covers the Warriors for The San Francisco Chronicle. E-mail:
cj.holmes@sfchronicle.com Twitter:
@CjHolmes22