Half-A-Hundo!

Klay Thompson Scores 54 in Double-OT Thriller

SAN FRANCISCO, USA – Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors brought the fireworks for his team’s first game of the new year, scoring a season-high 54 points to lead the Warriors as they squeaked past the Hawks in a double-overtime shootout, 153-151.

54 points
10 threes

KLAY THOMPSON » https://t.co/ocDF2EHeJH pic.twitter.com/uJMXVWEWm5

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 3, 2023

Thirty of Thompson’s points came from behind the arc, as he made 10 of his 21 three points attempts. He also grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 3 assets. Jordan Poole had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Kevon Looney had a workmanlike night, scoring 14 points as well as the final bucket to put the Warriors ahead, and grabbing a bullish 21 rebounds. 

Trae Young led the way for the young Hawks, who were on the Warriors’ heels all night, with 30 points and 14 assists. Dejaunte Murray and John Collins had 25 apiece along with double-digit rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 21 off the bench. 

Thompson’s scoring outburst is a key moment for the Bahamian NBA veteran. He was sidelined for the better half of the past two seasons after catastrophic knee and Achilles tendon injuries in the 2019 finals, leaving doubts about his ability to return to form, given his age and mileage.

Today, at least for a moment, those doubts are on hold.