The Golden State Warriors’ third-best player produced one of the greatest scoring performances in NBA history Monday night.
Klay Thompson was absolutely unstoppable in the Warriors’ 142-106 rout of the Indiana Pacers at Oracle Arena, scoring a career-high 60 points. But here’s the crazy part: He sat the entire fourth quarter.
That’s right: Thompson played just 29 minutes with Golden State leading big after three quarters. His 60 points came on a ridiculous 21 for 33 shooting effort, including 8 for 14 from 3-point range and 10 for 11 on free throws. So, what would have happened if Thompson stayed in the game? We’ll just leave this here:
Wilt: 100 pts in 48 min = 2.08 pts per min
Klay: 60 pts in 29 min = 2.07 pts per minThat pace… unreal pic.twitter.com/0RYWsL3ygZ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 6, 2016
Head coach Steve Kerr pulled Thompson with 1:22 still remaining in the third quarter, shortly after he buried his eighth 3-pointer of the night that sent the crowd and his teammates into a frenzy.
This is what 60 points looks like.
End of 3Q. @warriors 116, @Pacers 83 on @NBATV. #DubNation pic.twitter.com/10yx1Zt9df
— NBA (@NBA) December 6, 2016
So, uh…. Klay has 60 points & we still have an entire quarter to go. pic.twitter.com/t4woo8hBpp
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 6, 2016
Thompson’s 60 points were the most in the NBA this season and the highest mark since Kobe Bryant dropped 60 points in his final NBA game last season. But Klay was just a bit more efficient.
Some perspective. Kobe scored 60 in his last game on FIFTY shots. Klay has 60 on 33 shots tonight.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 6, 2016
According to SportVU data, Klay Thompson had the ball in his hands for about a minute and a half in his 60-point performance. #Warriors
— Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) December 6, 2016
Thompson, who had 40 points at halftime, also could have made a serious run at Bryant’s 82-point outburst, which the Los Angeles Lakers star accomplished in 41-plus minutes in 2006. But the Warriors sharpshooter still has a place in NBA history, as his 60 points in 29 minutes were the most ever by a player in 30 minutes or fewer.
Most points w/ <30 mins played:
60 – Klay, tonight
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43 – Larry Bird 3/18/86
(via @bball_ref)— Mr. Statistician Face Man (@tomhaberstroh) December 6, 2016
Did we mention this team also has Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant?
Watch Klay Thompson casually sip a beer in postgame interview >>
Thumbnail photo Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images