Klay Thompson can make it rain three-pointers. But, two years ago he caused a torrential downpour.
Thompson, teammate Stephen Curry, and their Golden State Warriors were on the road facing the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 21, 2019, when the sharpshooting all-star and NBA champion absolutely went off – even by Splash Brothers standards.
Thompson hit 10 consecutive three-pointers in the game, which tied an NBA record. Some of the treys were uncontested, but Thompson hits some with a defender’s hand in his face. He scores from all over the court. He comes off screens and finds gaps in the Lakers’ defense.
It’s a shooting performance that all young basketball players should study. It’s a masterclass in moving without the basketball and taking advantage of what the defense gives you.
You can watch Klay Thompson drain each of those 10 three-pointers in this compilation posted by SportsCenter on Twitter.
Here are some more highlights from Thompson’s 44-point performance that evening.
According to a report USA Today posted shortly after that Jan. 21, 2019, game, Klay Thompson hit seven of those 10 three-pointers during the third quarter. His first miss from three-point range came with 3:55 to play in the third quarter. Overall, Thompson made 17 of the 20 shots he took in the game. The Warriors defeated the Lakers, 130-111 that night.
With his smooth stroke and textbook shooting form, it is a joy to watch Thompson shoot a basketball – unless you’re cheering for the other team.
Klay Thompson Injured – Again
During the 2019 NBA Finals, Klay Thompson tore his left ACL during game six. The injury occurred on a fast break when he was fouled going up for a dunk. According to SportingNews, it was the first major injury of his career. Watch the play below.
The injury caused Thompson to miss the 2019-20 NBA season. As he was preparing for his return to the team for the 2020-21 season, Thompson suffered another devastating injury. This time, to his right Achilles. The Golden State Warriors confirmed the news via Twitter in November.
“Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, an MRI confirmed today in Los Angeles,” the Nov. 19, 2020, tweet said. “Thompson suffered the injury yesterday in a workout in Southern California. He is expected to miss the 2020-21 season.”
Thompson’s injury means Warriors fans – and all NBA fans for that matter – will have to wait another season to see the two Splash Brothers share the court again. Steph Curry, the other part of that famous duo, is hoping to see Thompson return.
“We’d love to have Klay and it’s still hard and tough emotionally to know he has to go through another rehab, and hopefully he comes back strong,” Curry previously said.
According to ESPN, the Golden State Warriors are 8-6 overall this season and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference.
