Warriors' Klay Thompson: 'Doesn't Make Any Sense' If Jordan Poole Doesn't Win MIP

Jordan Poole had an epic performance in the Golden State Warriors' 123-107 win in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at Chase Center, and it was a continuation of an impressive 2021-22 campaign for the 22-year-old. 

After the game, Warriors veteran Klay Thompson told reporters that it would be questionable if Poole didn't win the Most Improved Player Award this season.

"If he doesn't get Most Improved Player this year, it just doesn't make any sense," Thompson said. 

Poole finished Saturday's game with 30 points, one rebound and three assists on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor, 5-of-7 shooting from deep, and 7-of-8 free throws in 30 minutes.

The 2019 first-round pick took his game to the next level this year. In 76 regular-season games, he averaged 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 44.8 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from deep.

Poole's performance helped the Warriors finish third in the Western Conference with a 53-29 record, the franchise's best finish since the 2018-19 season. Stephen Curry missed the final 12 games of the season after suffering a foot injury, and Poole carried the team in that span, averaging 25.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.

In addition to Thompson, Draymond Green and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr have backed Poole for the Most Improved Player award. After a 100-94 win over the San Antonio Spurs on April 9, Kerr insisted Poole deserved the honor.

"I don’t know as far as the voting on the award … Where he was two-and-a-half years ago compared to now, it’s just dramatic, and he’s earned every bit of it," Kerr said. 

Green added: "No disrespect to Ja Morant, but Ja Morant's an MVP candidate. Ja Morant isn't a Most Improved Player candidate. Ja Morant was f--king incredible last year, and so when you look around, the most improvement has been Jordan Poole."

In addition to Poole and Morant, Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland, Spurs' Dejounte Murray and Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey have been mentioned as potential Most Improved Player candidates.