The Golden State Warriors have gotten off to a historic start to the 2014-15 NBA season, and their starting shooting guard, Klay Thompson, etched his name in the record books with an unbelievable performance on Friday night against the Sacramento Kings.
Thompson scored a career-high 52 points against the Kings at Oracle Arena. 52 points is an incredible feat, but that isn’t the most awe-worthy stat that Thompson accomplished on Friday night.
Thompson set an NBA record with 37 points in the third quarter, in which he made all 13 of his shots, made both free throws, and an NBA-record nine three-pointers.
Both the Warriors’ and the Kings’ benches were in complete awe of Thompson’s performance, and Oracle Arena was electric, as Warriors fans in attendance witnessed greatness and history unfold right in front of them.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has played with some of the best players in NBA history, but he said after the game that he has never seen a performance like Thompson’s last night.
"“I was one of the luckiest NBA players ever to play with Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, David Robinson and some of the greatest players ever,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “As many spectacular things as Michael did, which he did nightly, I never saw him do that.”"
Thompson is a pretty laid back, humble player, and he said he couldn’t even really believe what was going on during that epic third quarter. Here’s what Thompson said after the game:
"“It was kind of a blur. I wish I could go back and enjoy it some more, but moments like that go by really fast,” Thompson said."
Other NBA players and legends commented on Thompson’s historic night too via Twitter:
Any player that can score 37pts in one quarter should be starting in the NBA All-Star Game!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 24, 2015
Klay Thompson and LeBron James are the two best all-around players we have in the NBA today!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 24, 2015
Ok Klay. 👀
— Dorell Wright 🏁 (@DWRIGHTWAY1) January 24, 2015
Klay had that 2k perfect release on them boys lol
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) January 24, 2015
No way he got 37 points in a qt!!!!!!!!!! Oh my lord.
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) January 24, 2015
I once scored 37 points in a quarter. Yeah, I turned the quarter lengths to 20 minutes each on NBA 2K.
— Landry Fields (@landryfields) January 24, 2015
Unreal Mr. @KlayThompson, unreal.
Wow. Klay
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 24, 2015
"His Mama call him Klay, I'm going call him KLAY"!!! Shooters Shoot!! #WelcomeToThe50Club..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) January 24, 2015
Here’s what some of Thompson’s teammates said about the 37-point quarter:
Still in shock! This guy @klaythompson was unreal tonight! 37! 37! 37! If he's not an All-Star next… http://t.co/UbyDRB00Fg
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 24, 2015
Just came from a movie...called
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) January 24, 2015
"Klay Thompson" Was fire! 🔥🔥🔥#DubNation
Unreal Killa Klay
— Brandon Rush (@BRush_25) January 24, 2015
Had to hit him with the shower!! Geeez @KlayThompson #NBABallothttps://t.co/cpE9cFB6b8
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) January 24, 2015
Hey now, you're an all star @KlayThompson #NBA2Klay
— andre (@andre) January 24, 2015
This was an unforgettable night for Thompson, the Warriors organization, Warriors fans, and NBA fans around the world. It’s hard to imagine anyone ever replicating this kind of performance in one quarter. Maybe fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry. But for now, the spotlight belongs to Thompson.
Man...what a night. Gotta give credit to my teammates most unselfish group I ever played with. God is good!
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) January 24, 2015