Frustration is to be expected after squandering a 31-point lead as the Warriors did in their Game 2 loss to the Clippers, so it should come as no surprise that Klay Thompson expressed disappointment following the game.
MORE: Takeaways from Clippers' historic Game 2 comeback over Warriors
In his postgame presser, Thompson asserted that the result was a product of Golden State taking its foot off of the gas, telling reporters that the team "let our guard down, we weren't the aggressors anymore. We didn't deserve to win that game – the basketball gods didn't reward us."
Thompson finished Game 2 with 17 points (on 6-for-11 shooting) to go along with three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 32 minutes of action.
Despite the loss, the five-time All-Star vowed "We'll bounce back. I'll bounce back. The whole team will – we'll right the ship."
When asked if the team's collective anger was an appropriate emotion after a game like this, Thompson felt that "If channelled right it will be, and I think we will [properly channel the anger.]"
The three-time champion continued, referencing the team's veterans and pride: "We have a lot of experience, it's not our first time being tied in a series and I know we'll bounce back. We're too prideful not to."
In addition to losing the game, the Warriors lost big man DeMarcus Cousins to a quad injury that is being called 'significant'.
According to Thompson, it's no secret that his absence will leave a big void: "We'll miss his low-post dominance… his screen setting and just his energy out there. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery because we really need him if we want to make this run."
He continued, saying that the team will "rally behind him, tell him it's far from the end of the world, and tell him he has so much great basketball ahead of him and he believes that. It sucks, injuries are a part of the game – a terrible part of the game – but he'll bounce back, I know he will. He's a fighter."
The Warriors will look to regain control of the series as the series shifts to LA for Game 3, which takes place Thursday, April 18 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TSN1.
