Klay comes off bench for 1st time in career, then drops 35 as Dubs win

Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season to knock down seven 3-pointers and score a game-high 35 points, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 140-137 victory over the host Utah Jazz on Thursday night.

Thompson was a reserve for the first time since March 11, 2012, during the lockout-delayed first season of his career. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski replaced him in the starting lineup and finished with 13 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds.

“You can do two things: You can pout or you can go out there and respond,” said Thompson, who became the sixth Golden State player to surpass 15,000 points. “I thought I did that last one really well tonight.”

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Thompson had started 727 consecutive games, the fourth-longest active streak in the NBA, behind DeMar DeRozan, Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry.

Coach Steve Kerr had a discussion with Thompson Thursday morning in which he informed him of the change in the starting lineup. Kerr acknowledged that Thompson wasn't happy with the decision and that it fueled what turned out to be his best offensive performance in an up-and-down season.

It's been a tough season for him and for us,” said Kerr, who earned his 500th win as Golden State's coach. “It's not as easy to do what Klay did for him five or six years ago. I think it could be a good balance to get the best out of Klay and our team.”

Thompson, who missed the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons due to injuries, has struggled at times this season. He is averaging 17 points, the lowest since his sophomore season, and is sometimes not on Coach Kerr's finishing squad.

“He’s definitely a competitor,” Kerr said after the game. “I've seen him win championships. I've seen him make a million big shots. I've seen him guard the toughest guys in the league. Klay is a champion. He's an incredible player, a great person.”

Thompson scored 17 points in the Warriors' 84-point first half, but they needed a missed 3-pointer by Collin Sexton to preserve their eighth win in 10 games.

Golden State totaled 48 points in the second quarter – a season high for both the Warriors and a Jazz opponent.

Thompson increased his dominance after halftime, tallying 18 points in the third quarter alone. He made five baskets – including four 3-pointers – in four minutes to help Golden State extend its lead to 120-102 early in the fourth quarter.

His 35-point game was the first for a Warriors player coming off the bench since Ian Clark in 2017 against the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

“I thought about [former Spurs great] Manu Ginobli, this guy has four rings and a gold medal, and he came off the bench throughout his career, and I don't think anyone looks down on his Hall of Fame candidacy,” Thompson said.” It's one of the biggest. And I thought, I mean, I accepted it before the tip, and I mean, I really deserved it. “

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.