In an unexpected twist following the Golden State Warriors’ electrifying game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Klay Thompson received a surprise award from Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. — edging out longtime teammate and fan-favorite Stephen Curry.
The award, dubbed the “Warrior’s Heart Award”, was introduced quietly this season to recognize the player who shows the most grit, resilience, and impact — both on and off the court — during select matchups. Thompson earned it after pouring in 36 points, including a crucial go-ahead three in the final two minutes, as the Warriors clawed out a narrow 112-108 victory over the Cavaliers at Chase Center.
Fans were stunned, not just by the announcement but by the fact that Stephen Curry, who finished with 28 points and 11 assists, and had a series of dazzling plays in the fourth quarter, didn’t receive the honor.
“I’ve watched Steph do unreal things on the court night after night,” Dunleavy Jr. said during the post-game press conference. “But tonight, Klay showed us a version of himself we haven’t seen since before the injuries. He was locked in. On defense, he was relentless. He earned it.”
Social media exploded shortly after the announcement. Hashtags like #Klay Over Steph and #Warrior controversy trended on X (formerly Twitter), with fans split down the middle. Some praised the move as a well-deserved nod to Klay’s perseverance, while others saw it as a slight to the franchise’s cornerstone.
“Steph is the engine. Period,” one user posted. “I get Klay had a great night, but over Curry? Nah.”
