- Klay Thompson exploded for 60 points in just three quarters against the Indiana Pacers in 2016
- It took Thompson just 11 dribbles to rack up all those points
- He recounted that memorable performance on Paul George’s podcast
While Klay Thompson’s fellow “Splash Brother” Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter of all time, there might be no scarier sight than when Thompson gets going. The three-time All-Star once erupted for an NBA-record 37 points in a quarter against the Sacramento Kings in 2015, and a year later, he did something just as special.
The Golden State Warriors were taking on Paul George and the Indiana Pacers on December 5th, 2016, when Klay exploded for a career-high 60 points on just 11 dribbles. He did all of that in just three quarters too, and during a recent appearance on Podcast P, Thompson recounted that memorable performance.
“Just one of those days where everything felt great,” Thompson said. “I mean 40 in the first half, that’s hard to do. But I was getting good looks the whole night, playing within the offense.
“Zaza (Pachulia) setting those dirty picks, getting me wide open,” Thompson continued. “Draymond (Green) was putting it in the pocket for once actually, right on the seams. Gravity that KD (Kevin Durant) and Steph (Curry) brought to the team, I was getting wide-open looks.
“Hopefully, I can do it again,” Thompson added. “But in 29 minutes, I don’t know if I’ll be able to top that. Some things just stand the test of time, that might be one of ’em.”
"Some things just stand the test of time, that might be one of them."@KlayThompson on his historic 60-point performance pic.twitter.com/UqjYOuiEL8
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) August 8, 2023
Klay was 21-33 from the field that night and went 8-14 from beyond the arc. He had 17 points in the first quarter, then 40 by halftime, and 60 by the end of the third. Had head coach Steve Kerr allowed him to stay in the game after that, Thompson could have very well gone past Kobe Bryant’s mark of 81 points in a game.
The Warriors were up 116-83 by the end of the third quarter, though, so Kerr pulled all of his starters. They would go on to win that game 142-106, and there was no point in potentially risking injury for just a chance at surpassing Kobe.
Gilbert Arenas Picked Klay Thompson As The Most Dangerous Player In The League When Hot
Funnily enough, Gilbert Arenas recently referred to this game as a reason why he picks Klay as the most dangerous player in the league when hot. Arenas pointed to Thompson not needing the ball in his hands all the time to have these kinds of nights. He stated that Klay is more dangerous also because he is constantly moving and coming off screens, which means you can’t double him.
For as unbelievably great as Curry is, even he can’t get as hot as Klay. The 37-point quarter, this 60-point game, and, to a lesser extent, his record-breaking game with 14 threes in 2018 prove why Klay at his best is just so destructive. Those days seem behind him now, though, but Thompson did average 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game last season, so there is still gas left in the tank.
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