By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Klay Thompson was automatic from downtown and buried 12 three-pointers that spearheaded the Golden State Warriors’ 141-114 decimation of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the ongoing NBA season last February 7, 2023.
After swishing his first trey in the first quarter, Thompson quickly went unconscious and just let it fly in the air.
His waxing hot scoring in the first half helped Golden State get out of the early hole as the young Oklahoma squad embarrassed them in the paint when they scored 18 points in the shaded lane in the first eight minutes of the opening canto.
Thompson knew he had to step up scoring-wise due to the absence of Stephen Curry who was ruled out for a week due to a left leg injury, erupting for 42 points built from a 15/22 shooting from the field.
The superstar shooting guard exited the floor with four minutes remaining in the game and capped off a stellar night with just four misses from the three-point range out of 16 total attempts.
Golden State had to endure Oklahoma’s blazing start as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams buried buckets that put them in the driver’s seat in the first 15 minutes of action.
However, Oklahoma’s lead immediately evaporated when Thompson finished the first half with 27 points on 10/14 shooting from the field which gave the Warriors a seven-point advantage, 60-53, heading into the third quarter.
The Thunder never recovered after Thompson gained his early shooting rhythm and could only watch Golden State outgun them in the last 24 minutes of the game.
It was also a balanced attack for the reigning and defending NBA champions as Jordan Poole added 21 points and 12 assists while Andrew Wiggins chipped in 18 markers.
On the other hand, Alexander top-scored the Thunder with 20 points followed by Aaron Wiggins who had 19.
Golden State will look to extend its winning streak to three when they face off against Damian Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers on February 9, 2023.
