NBA Fans Couldn’t Stop Laughing at Klay Thompson’s Awful Attempt at Game-Tying Buzzer-Beater

This wasn’t even close to going in.
NBA Fans Couldn’t Stop Laughing at Klay Thompson’s Awful Attempt at Game-Tying Buzzer-Beater
NBA Fans Couldn’t Stop Laughing at Klay Thompson’s Awful Attempt at Game-Tying Buzzer-Beater /

Klay Thompson may be one of the NBA’s best shooters, but his attempt at a game-tying heave as time expired during the Warriors' loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday became the butt of some jokes.

After Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson missed a free throw that would have sealed the win, the Warriors went into scramble mode, racing the ball up the floor to Thompson to get off a potential game-tying shot before the buzzer sounded. The Warriors executed well, getting Thompson a look on the move heading toward the basket near the three-point line in the three seconds they had to go the length of the floor.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson controls the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson and forward Michael Porter Jr. defend in the first quarter at Ball Arena.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson controls the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson and forward Michael Porter Jr. defend in the first quarter at Ball Arena / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

But Thompson seemed to not get a good grip on the ball as he tried floating it towards the rim, and the shot fell way short of the basket. All Thompson could do is throw up his hands in frustration as Denver officially handed Golden State its second loss in three games.

Here’s a look at the rough attempt:

Ouch.

Of course, the loss was certainly not Thompson’s fault. Stephen Curry missed a very good look at the rim on the possession before that would have tied the game, and Chris Paul’s pass to Thompson on that final play was a bit in front of him, causing him to have to scramble ahead to grab the ball and shoot quickly. But that didn’t stop fans from having fun at his expense after his rough attempt.


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Kevin Sweeney
KEVIN SWEENEY

Kevin Sweeney is a staff writer at Sports Illustrated covering college basketball and the NBA draft. He joined the SI staff in July 2021 and also serves host and analyst for The Field of 68. Sweeney is a Naismith Trophy voter and ia member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.