Few moments in Golden State Warriors history carry the kind of weight that “Game 6 Klay” does. Klay Thompson’s 41-point explosion, highlighted by 11 three-pointers against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference semifinals, stands as one of the most iconic individual playoff performances in NBA history. Single-handedly dragging the Warriors back from the brink of elimination in a must-win Game 6, Thompson delivered a performance that transcended basketball. It became legend — a nickname, a legacy, and a cornerstone of Warriors folklore that reshaped the trajectory of the league by ending Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City era.
On Sunday, however, that legacy faced an unexpected challenge from an Eastern Conference star.
Fresh off the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dominant 125-94 Game 7 victory over the Detroit Pistons, Donovan Mitchell was asked to compare Thompson’s legendary outing to the recent playoff heroics of his teammate Jarrett Allen. Mitchell didn’t hesitate.
“I mean Game 7 J-A,” Mitchell said with a smile. “Come on, he’s two-for-two!”
The comment, while clearly supportive of his big man, lands as something of a bombshell for Warriors fans still protective of one of the franchise’s most cherished playoff memories.
What Allen Has Done to Earn the Comparison
Jarrett Allen has been nothing short of exceptional in elimination games this postseason. In the first-round Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors, the Cavaliers center posted 22 points and 19 rebounds, sending Cleveland advancing. He followed that up against Detroit with 23 points and seven rebounds in another Game 7 masterclass, helping the Cavs close out the series in convincing fashion.
The first of those performances placed Allen in historically elite company. Since 1996, only a handful of players — including Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and Dikembe Mutombo — have recorded at least 22 points and 19 rebounds in a Game 7. Allen’s back-to-back dominant showings in win-or-go-home situations have fueled his reputation as a reliable force under pressure and clearly boosted Mitchell’s confidence in him.
Where Game 6 Klay Still Stands Alone
While Allen’s contributions deserve praise, equating them directly to Thompson’s 2016 masterpiece is a reach that Warriors fans are unlikely to entertain.
Thompson’s performance came on one of the NBA’s grandest stages: a Western Conference semifinal against a powerhouse Thunder team featuring Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Serge Ibaka. Down 3-1 in the series, Golden State needed a miracle. Thompson provided it, raining threes at a historic clip and willing his team to victory. The win not only extended the Warriors’ season but altered the course of NBA history, paving the way for Durant’s eventual move to Golden State and the creation of a superteam.
The magnitude, difficulty, and long-term ripple effects of that game set it apart. Allen has thrived in Game 7s, but the context — opponent strength, series implications, and individual scoring brilliance — differs significantly from the spotlight Thompson faced in 2016.
Mitchell was doing what leaders do: backing his teammate and building confidence within the locker room. Still, the comparison is bound to raise eyebrows among those who witnessed Klay’s unforgettable night.
Thompson may no longer wear a Warriors uniform, but “Game 6 Klay” remains etched in franchise lore. With Stephen Curry and the current Warriors roster watching this postseason from the outside following their play-in exit, the organization’s rich history of playoff heroics continues to loom large.
As the Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks tip off Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, Allen will have another opportunity to add to his growing playoff résumé. Whether he can produce more signature moments remains to be seen. For now, Warriors fans can rest easy knowing that one of the most celebrated performances in recent NBA memory still holds a unique place in basketball immortality.