Boston Celtics: 3 key matchups that will decide the 2022 NBA Finals

Boston Celtics 2022 NBA Finals key matchup No. 2: Jaylen Brown vs. Klay Thompson

One of the biggest storylines of the 2022 NBA season has been the return of five-time All-Star, Klay Thompson.

The shooting guard had last played in a game at the end of the 2018-19 season before returning earlier this year. Recovering from an ACL tear and an Achilles tear, there may not be a tougher journey back in sports.

Even after two years off, the other ‘Splash Bro’ did not lose a step, averaging over 20 points per game.

Opposing Thompson will very likely be Jaylen Brown, the starting two for the Cs. Brown’s success has been well documented this season, as he has ascended to one of the game’s best young talents.

These two players are very different, even though they play the same position. Thompson is an all-time great three-point shooter and can knock down mid-rangers without hesitation. Brown may not be as good of a three-point sniper, but is a more complete offensive player at this point of his career.

Thompson does not have the same lateral quickness as he once had, which may make it tough for him to stick with Brown. On the other hand, Klay’s hands and quickness match up well with number seven’s shaky ball-handling.

Expect Boston to create shots for Jaylen throughout this series to avoid the turnovers that were prevalent against Miami.

Gary Payton II may return in this series and see time guarding Brown, but the primary matchup expects to be Brown vs. Thompson.