What we learned as Klay drains 12 3-pointers in win vs. OKC initially appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SAN FRANCISCO — When one Splash Brother goes down, one other should step up. Klay Thompson did greater than that Monday night time in the Warriors’ 141-114 blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Thompson had the nets dipping in entrance of his house followers, scoring 27 factors in the primary half. Nothing was compelled and effectivity was on show. The flamethrower completed with 42 factors on 15-for-22 taking pictures and 12-for-16 from downtown.
Plus, what began as a one-man present ended as a collective crew effort. Jordan Poole did precisely what the Warriors wanted from him in their first sport since Steph Curry went right down to a decrease left leg harm, scoring 21 factors on 8-for-14 taking pictures to go along with a career-high 12 assists.
Andrew Wiggins was energetic all sport, including 18 factors and was a plus-25 in plus/minus.
All in all, this ought to be a sport to recollect for the Warriors, who now are 8-8 with out Curry this season.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors bettering to 28-26 on the season.
Klay Catches Fire
Thompson has put collectively a handful of sturdy first quarters this season. What he did Monday night time, although, was a complete totally different degree. As each groups traded buckets, Klay caught fireplace proper from the beginning.
He scored 18 points in the first quarter alone, going 7-for-10 from the sphere and 4-for-5 from deep. And he was simply getting began. Thompson scored one other 9 factors in the second quarter, giving him 27 in the primary half whereas taking pictures 10-for-14 general and 7-for-9 on 3-pointers. That gave him his most factors in a half since 2019.
Did a halftime break gradual him down? Not in any respect.
Coming out of the break, Thompson opened the third quarter with back-to-back threes.
Klay ended up taking part in a complete of 33 minutes and scored 27 factors in the primary half and 15 in the second. His 12 3-pointers are the second-most of his profession and solely two off his NBA file of 14 in a gem.
Under Control
With Curry sidelined, the highlight shined brightest on Poole. He answered the call in main methods Monday night time.
Scoring has by no means been a query for the 23-year-old guard. Whenever Curry has missed video games, Poole simply has put up 20-plus factors. In the 15 video games that Curry has been absent for this season previous to the Warriors’ win in opposition to the Thunder, Poole was averaging 27.7 factors and 4.2 assists.
But additionally 4.9 turnovers.
His turnovers have price the Warriors wins at occasions. Not this time, although.
Poole didn’t flip the ball over till there have been seven minutes left in the third quarter. At that time, he already had 9 assists. Before the third quarter was over, he already tied his profession excessive of 11 assists. He completed with a brand new career-high 12 assists and 4 turnovers.
This was the blueprint of what Poole can do on a nightly foundation as Curry recovers.
A Very Happy Birthday
Sometimes it seems like Kevon Looney has been a Warrior each bit so long as Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. The veteran heart performs an old-school sport and carries himself like a clever elder. On Monday, he additionally celebrated his twenty seventh birthday, a quantity that feels far too younger.
Looney celebrated in model, too, along with his newest instance of why he’s so necessary to the Warriors.
Steve Kerr mentioned after the Warriors’ win Saturday night time in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks that Looney, who began and scored 10 factors to go along with seven rebounds, would stay in the beginning lineup. So a lot for that.
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Instead, Jonathan Kuminga was inserted into the Warriors’ beginning 5 and Looney got here off the bench. All Looney did was snatch 11 rebounds off the bench to steer the Warriors and was a plus-21.
He’s a winner in each sense of the phrase, and performed a giant half in the Warriors bettering to 3 video games over .500 earlier than they take off for Portland.
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