Thompson, Ayton Deliver the Goods on Christmas Day

Bahamian NBA Players Had Big Games on Christmas

They’re not Santa, but Bahamians Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns delivered in the clutch for their teams on the biggest day of the NBA season, Christmas Day. 

Thompson led his Warriors to a victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. Playing without their best player Stephen Curry, Thompson scored 24 points, pulled down 9 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. 

So pure.

» https://t.co/ocDF2EGGU9 pic.twitter.com/UU0zO59LuN

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 26, 2022

Klay also had some inspired trash talk for the Grizz, who position themselves as a rival to the four-time champions for some reason. 

Klay Thompson woke up on Christmas Day and choose violence pic.twitter.com/ydtB6cWkVO

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) December 26, 2022

Jordan Poole led the Warriors in scoring with 32 points. Donte DiVincenzo, starting for Curry, added 19 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists and Ty Jerome added 14 off the bench.   Draymond Green scored 2 points he anchored the team on both ends, grabbing 13 rebounds, dishing out 13 assists and blocking 2 shots. Allstar guard Ja Morant of the Grizzlies had 36 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. 

The Warriors play another Bahamian, Kai Jones and the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night.

Deandre Ayton also had a big game, however, he couldn’t prevent his Suns from losing to the Denver Nuggets, 128-125. 

The center scored 22 points while grabbing 16 rebounds to go with 2 blocks and 2 steals. 

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1607244349913567234?s=20&t=GCOU1IxnX0xG79bcMZUXIw

Suns’ leading scorer Devin Booker, attempting a return from a groin injury played only 4 minutes before leaving the game for good. Guard Landry Shamet led the team in scoring off the bench with 31 while dishing out 6 assists. Chris Paul also had 17 points while dishing out 16 assists. 

Perennial all-star center and 2-time MVP Nikola Jokic destroyed the Suns and Ayton, scoring 41 points to go with 15 rebounds and assists apiece. There was nothing Ayton or the Suns can do to stop the big man from doing whatever he wanted to do on the floor. 

The Suns play the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.