While the arrival of “Game 6 Klay” is rightfully receiving a bulk of the headlines after the Golden State Warriors eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies to advance to the Western Conference Finals, an unsung hero helped come to the rescue on Friday night.
Received his first start of the series, Kevon Looney went to work on the glass against the Grizzlies. The veteran big-man tallied a career-high 22 rebounds on the way to Golden State’s 110-96 victory over Memphis.
Along with keeping the Grizzlies off the boards, Looney’s effort provided the Warriors with a flurry of second chances. The UCLA product notched 11 offensive boards on top of 11 defensive rebounds.
Looney surged past his regular-season career-high rebound mark of 18 boards against the Cleveland Cavaliers from Jan. 2022.
Via @NBA on Twitter:
22 REBOUNDS for @Loon_Rebel5 🔥
Inserted back into the starting lineup… Kevon Looney's 11 offensive and 11 defensive rebounds were crucial in lifting the @warriors to the Western Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/kN6KcH5ACh
— NBA (@NBA) May 14, 2022
The last time a member of the Warriors tallied rebounding numbers like Looney in Game 6 was 1987. Looney’s 22 rebounds was the most by a Warriors player in a postseason contest since Larry Smith.
Via @statmuse on Twitter:
Kevon Looney had 22 rebounds tonight.
The most by a Warriors player in a playoff game since Larry Smith in 1987. pic.twitter.com/Bg6kNPBHko
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 14, 2022
Looney set the tone for a dominant rebounding performance from the Warriors. In Game 6, Golden State outrebounded Memphis 70-44. Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins each grabbed over 11 boards in Game 6.
Along with 22 rebounds, Looney added four points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field with five assists and a block in 35 minutes.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!