Buddy Hield delivered a stunning performance when the Golden State Warriors needed it most. In a crucial Game 7 against the Houston Rockets, Hield scored 33 points, lighting up the court with nine made three-pointers. He sank six of his seven threes in the first half and went 8-of-9 from the field overall, leading Golden State to a 12-point halftime lead. Buddy Hield’s hot shooting night was very reminiscent of Klay Thompson’s exploits while on the team. Hield’s scoring outburst tied Donte DiVincenzo for the most three-pointers in a Game 7 in NBA history. It was also Hield’s best postseason showing yet. Despite a nine-year career and over 700 regular-season games, this was just his 11th playoff game. But he made it count in a big way.
Buddy Hield Channels His Inner Klay Thompson In Scoring Outburst
A Quiet Start to His Warriors Journey
Hield’s arrival in Golden State came through a massive six-team trade. He joined the Warriors after a forgettable series with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he struggled mightily. In that series against the New York Knicks, he had two scoreless games and only one made shot across the first three contests. Philadelphia benched him in Games 4 and 5, and only in the elimination Game 6 did he show signs of life, making six threes.
Golden State brought him in for one reason—floor spacing. His career three-point percentage of 39.7% made him one of the league’s elite shooters. But he found it hard to carve out a rhythm on a deep Warriors team. Hield started just 22 games and posted a modest 11.1 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season.
In Buddy Hield, Klay Thompson’s Splash Brother Spirit Lives On
The irony in Hield’s Game 7 eruption is striking. He produced a performance reminiscent of Thompson, the man he effectively replaced. Thompson, now with the Dallas Mavericks, built a reputation for showing up in elimination games. One of his notable playoff moments also came against Houston in 2019—27 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
The Buddy Hield-Klay Thompson comparison isn’t just poetic—it’s becoming relevant. Hield’s Game 7 echoed the type of heroics Thompson provided for over a decade. The Warriors missed that scoring punch, and Hield answered when it mattered most.
Looking Ahead: Hield’s Role Against Minnesota
The Warriors now turn their attention to a tougher challenge—the Minnesota Timberwolves. The question looms: what role will Hield play? Steve Kerr didn’t insert Hield into the starting lineup until Game 4 against Houston. That change came after a five-three-pointer showing in Game 3 forced his hand.
Kerr might lean toward Moses Moody against the Timberwolves. Moody’s defense could be crucial in containing Anthony Edwards. The Rockets didn’t present the same perimeter threats, allowing Kerr to start a more offensive-minded player like Hield. Minnesota, however, brings size, discipline, and offensive variety. These factors could limit Hield’s minutes if his shooting goes cold.
Still, Hield’s Game 7 proved his scoring could swing games. He shot 37.0% from deep during the season on nearly seven attempts per game—good, but not elite. Inconsistent shooting has often kept him off the floor in big moments. But now, the Warriors can’t afford to ignore his offensive potential.
Buddy Hield, A Wild Card the Warriors Need
Another thing that makes the Klay Thompson comparisons fascinating is Buddy Hield’s unpredictability. One game, he can go scoreless. The next, he can explode for 33. He became the first player in playoff history to follow a scoreless game with 33 or more points in a single postseason. That volatility makes him a wildcard—dangerous, but necessary.
Golden State needs offense. The Warriors struggled against Houston’s zone defense in Games 3 and 4 before cracking it in Game 7. If they want to beat Minnesota’s size and. physicality, they need another shooter to complement Stephen Curry. That shooter must be Hield. Hield may never be a Splash Brother in legacy, but in spirit—and on nights like Game 7—he channels one.
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