Sports

Klay Thompson goes from season-opening slump to setting NBA 3-point record

By Jack Baer

There was little debate that Klay Thompson had opened the 2018-19 NBA season in a major slump. Entering Monday shooting just 5-of-36 from 3-point range, the Golden State Warriors shooting guard had yet to make more than one 3-pointer in a game.


So, naturally, Thompson opened the Warriors’ game against the Bulls with 22 points in the first quarter and enough made 3-pointers to top not just his season-high, but his season total. Then he finished the first half with 36 points and 10 threes made, tying an NBA record.

And finally, he reached 14 3-pointers made to break his teammate Steph Curry’s NBA record for 3-pointers in a game.

Klay Thompson’s record-breaking night

Incredibly, Thompson, who finished with 52 points and shot 14-of-24 from deep, needed just 27 minutes to rewrite the NBA record books. He was done by midway through the third quarter of a 149-124 Warriors win.

While you would think Curry might be a little sore over losing his record, his Instagram story after the game indicated otherwise.



The 3-point record wasn’t the only history Thompson made on Monday. His 10 3-pointers in the first half were enough to tie Chandler Parson’s record for most 3-pointers in a half and set the record outright for most in a first half.

Thompson and Curry are now the only players in NBA history to post multiple games with at least 11 3-pointers in their careers, Thompson having done it twice now and Curry a ridiculous six times.

No matter how you slice it, Thompson has carved out a special niche in NBA history.


Saying that Klay Thompson’s shooting slump ended on Monday is the understatement of the season. (Getty Images)

‘The Headband Game’

Many viewers noted that Thompson’s pyrotechnics came with an interesting accessory: a very large, yellow headband that doesn’t exactly scream “I’m about to drop 52 points on you.”

As it turns out, that headband wasn’t a fashion choice; rather, Thompson wore it due to a gash suffered during a collision with Damian Jones.



The Warriors had their fun with the headband after the game.

“He look kinda weak with the headband, like he don’t belong in the NBA,” Kevin Durant said, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “But then you look at the scoreboard and he got 52, walking out with 5 minutes to go in the third.”

Pretty good night for the Warriors as well

Of course, it wasn’t like the Warriors didn’t make some history of their own.

Thompson’s record-setting performance was enough to drive the Warriors to a historic and obscene 92 first-half points. The only team in NBA history to post a higher first-half point total is the 1990 Phoenix Suns (107 points) in a 173-143 win over the Nuggets in which eight different players reached double-digits.

The Warriors also finished with 24 3-pointers made as a team, enough to set a franchise record and come one shy of the Cavaliers’ NBA record set last season.