NBA scores 2016: Klay Thompson scores 60 points in 29 minutes in historic night for the Warriors

Thompson scored at a pace a hair short of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point night.

Dec 6, 2016, 1:00 PM UTC

NBA: Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re looking for a glimpse into what peak Warriors basketball can be this season, look no further than Golden State’s pounding of the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

The Warriors poured on 80 first-half points, including 40 from Klay Thompson, in their 142-106 Monday night win over the Pacers, improving their record to 18-3 on the season. Thompson shot 15-of-22 from the field in the first half, including 5-of-9 from downtown and 5-of-5 from the foul line, joining Chicago’s Jimmy Butler as the only players to go for 40-point halves this season.

In fact, only one player in the past 10 years scored more points in a half than Thompson did on Monday. Of course that player is New York Knicks sixth man Brandon Jennings.

Thompson went on to become the fourth Warrior ever to score 60 points, doing so in just 29 minutes by the end of the third quarter on 21-of-33 shooting (8-of-14 from downtown). Here was Thompson’s final bucket before Steve Kerr pulled the plug on his historic night:

Golden State’s blowout victory featured highlight-reel play after highlight-reel play, starting with Stephen Curry’s reaction to Thompson’s flaming-hot first half. Here’s Curry bolting for the locker room after a corner three sent the Oracle Arena into a frenzy:

And here’s Curry celebrating again after Thompson knocked down this step-back triple in transition:

The speed with which Thompson scored 60 points drew comparisons to Wilt Chamberlain, whose 100 points still stands as the most any player has scored in NBA history.

It wasn’t all cheers from Curry on Monday night. The two-time league MVP finished with 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the field, but also had 11 assists, including this gorgeous no-look, mid-air alley-oop to a trailing Kevin Durant.

Here’s a better look at the play, which began with a pinpoint full-court heave from Draymond Green:

Kevin Durant also finished with 20 points, and Golden State exhibited the sheer dominance many feared when the team pieced together its star-studded lineup over the summer. But in an NBA Monday that featured 11 games, other teams had some significant moments as well:

Russell Westbrook picked up another triple-double

If Russell Westbrook keeps making opponents look foolish like this, the NBA should hand him the MVP award tomorrow. Here, he throws the ball off of Thabo Sefolosha’s hip in mid-jump shot before recovering it and firing away for a mid-range bucket.

Westbrook finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists for his 11th triple-double of the season, and Oklahoma City improved to 14-8 on the season.

J.R. Smith and Tony Parker suffered serious injuries

It was just the first quarter when J.R. Smith came up hobbled on a layup attempt. There was minimal contact with an opponent, but Smith landed awkwardly on his left leg. The team announced he injured his left knee. MRIs came up negative, but he’ll be taken back to Cleveland for more testing later this week.

Tony Parker, meanwhile, collided knee-to-knee with Milwaukee’s Matthew Dellavedova. He went to the ground and immediately grabbed his leg.

Rockets guard Eric Gordon also went down with what appeared to be a painful ankle injury, but he walked off on his own power and is questionable for Houston’s next game.

Giannis is doing more Giannis things every game

First, he soared out of nowhere for this two-handed put-back dunk:

Then, he somehow managed to find Mirza Teletovic for this go-ahead third-quarter three:

Finally, he channeled his inner Dikembe Mutombo with this vicious swat of Kawhi Leonard’s layup, followed by a deep stare into Leonard’s soul:

Giannis Antetokounmpo is developing into a superstar with every game. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, San Antonio came away with the win in the end.

Victor Oladipo posterized Dwight Howard

We’re just gonna let this stand alone.

Monday’s five top performances

Klay Thompson: 60 points, 21-of-33 shooting, 8-of-14 on threes, plus-37

It was just one of those nights where everything was falling for Thompson. If he keeps shooting like this, nothing will stand in Golden State’s way of chasing a championship.

Russell Westbrook: 32 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists

Westbrook picked up his 11th triple-double of the season, leading the Thunder to a 102-99 win over Atlanta on Monday.

Marc Gasol: 28 points, 11-of-25 shooting, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals

Gasol shot 3-of-6 from downtown in Memphis’ win over New Orleans. Maybe his three-point shooting isn’t a fad.

LeBron James: 34 points, 12-of-26 shooting, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals

Cleveland held off a surging Raptors team down the stretch thanks to LeBron’s early attacking.

James Harden: 37 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists

The Beard did things like this...

... and this:

Honorable mentions: Rudy Gobert (14 points, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks), DeMar DeRozan (31 points, 5 assists, 3 steals), Jamal Murray (22 points, 8-of-12 shooting), Lou Williams (38 points)