Klay Thompson was on fire Friday night, scoring the most points in a quarter in league history with 37 and finishing the game with 52 in the Warriors' 126-101 win against the Sacramento Kings. Thompson shot 64 percent from the field and it only took him 25 shots to get there thanks to going 11-for-15 from beyond the arc and 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Klay Thompson’s teammates react to his amazing 37-point quarter
Klay Thompson’s historic scoring explosion cements his All-Star case.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
In the third quarter, Thompson didn’t miss, going 13-for-13 from the field and hitting his nine three-point attempts and his two free throws. It was truly a special scoring display. How rare his performance didn’t escape his teammates, who were as amazed as the viewing public. Stephen Curry illustrated his feeling about Thompson’s night on his Instagram account:
When Stephen Curry is in shock of your scoring, you know you had a special game. Curry’s All-Star plea is likely to be answered, as it would be hard for the coaches to ignore such an impressive performance. With Kobe Bryant out of the contest due to a rotator cuff injury, the door is wide open for Thompson to make his first All-Star game.
Curry wasn’t the only one who decided to do something special for Thompson. Harrison Barnes helped Klay cool down with an ice box shower.
Had to hit him with the shower!! Geeez @KlayThompson #NBABallot https://t.co/cpE9cFB6b8
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) enero 24, 2015 The historic performance wasn't a hollow individual achievement. It also sealed a Warriors' win that was proving to be harder to attain than anticipated against the scrappy Kings. Before Thompson hit his first shot in the third quarter, the game was actually tied. By the fourth quarter, the Warriors led by 24 points. This win probability chart probably courtesy of Inpredictable illustrates how important Thompson's scoring explosion was to the Warriors:
Thompson essentially won the game for Golden State in the third quarter, leading the team to a league-best 35-6 record.
The Warriors are clearly the best team in basketball right now and a big part of their success is that they seemingly like and root for each other. Not only Curry and Barnes celebrated Thompson, but also the rest of his teammates, who lobbied for an All-Star spot:
Keep it rolling @warriors . @KlayThompson was just completely stupid tonight!!!!! 52 pts on 25 shots!!! #automatic
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) enero 24, 2015 Hey now, you're an all star @KlayThompson #NBA2Klay
— Andre Iguodala (@andre) enero 24, 2015 God is good!.... Congrats @KlayThompson for making history bro. #crazy
— Justin Holiday (@JustHolla7) enero 24, 2015 The best movie I have ever seen !!! Thanks for the show @KlayThompson #dubnation
— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) enero 24, 2015 Just came from a movie...called "Klay Thompson" Was fire! #DubNation
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) enero 24, 2015 Unreal Killa Klay
— Brandon Rush (@BRush_25) enero 24, 2015 Klay Thompson is a BAD MAN #NBABallot http://t.co/1ch4FvcCOd
— Festus Ezeli (@fezzyfel) enero 24, 2015 Thompson chose to remain humble after the best game of his career.
Man...what a night. Gotta give credit to my teammates most unselfish group I ever played with. God is good!
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) enero 24, 2015 It has been a breakout season for Thompson, who has showed improvement in every facet of the game. This performance has, in all likelihood, sealed his appearance in the All-Star game. Even if he somehow misses the cut, it’s clear he’s a star in this league and will have opportunities in the future. For now, his emergence makes the Warriors the favorite to win the title and that’s what seems to matter most to Thompson and the team.
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