Klay Thompson’s starting record for the Golden State Warriors – a run of 727 consecutive games – is over as he started on the bench for the first time in 12 years but scored a season-high of 35 points in a win against Utah Jazz.
The 34-year-old didn’t start a game for the first time since his rookie season as he stared in the 140-137 against the Jazz whilst making a more memorable record for himself that he will look on fondly.
Thompson became the 153rd player in the league’s history to score more than 15,000 points as he helped his team condemn the Jazz to their fourth straight defeat as Golden State stay 10th in the Western Conference.
The Shooting Guard also become only the sixth player in Golden State history to score over this milestone after: Stephen Curry, Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Paul Arizin and Chris Mullin.
The four-time NBA champion came onto the court with seven minutes gone in the first quarter and didn’t waste any time as he scored an impressive 17 points in 12 minutes for coach Steve Kerr and his team.
“Klay coming off the bench gives us a lot of firepower,” Kerr said.
“We’ll give it a little look and see where it goes from there.
“He handled everything beautifully. The way he came out, determined and competitive, that’s not easy, to come off the bench for the first time in [more than] 11 years. It’s difficult.
“But Klay is a champion. He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met. He responded accordingly and played a great game.”
