Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson gets hot from three, sets new NBA record

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 2/27/23

When he catches fire, he is tough to contain, and that's just what Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson did Friday night.

Scoring 42 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the 3-point line, Thompson also passed teammate Stephen Curry with his third game with 12 or more 3-pointers, setting a new NBA record.

Also becoming the first player in NBA history with two games of 12 or more 3-pointers in the same season.

With Curry out due to a leg injury, Thompson has to handle more of the offensive load while helping keep the Warriors alive in the playoff hunt.

42 PTS
7 REB
12 3PM (ties season-high)

Klay Thompson is the first player in NBA history to drop multiple games with 12+ threes in a single season. Tough. pic.twitter.com/ywG6QiXyvx
— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2023

A long time coming, Thompson was just given clearance to play back-to-backs before the All-Star break.

After spending the last two-and-a-half years recovering from multiple major injuries and dealing with restrictions set by the team while easing him back into action, Thompson was waiting for this day.

Klay reflects on what a night like tonight means to him pic.twitter.com/DmLtM63j3W
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 25, 2023

Sharing a backcourt with arguably the greatest shooter in the history of the sport, Thompson makes sure to let Curry know when he beats or passes one of his records.

"I wanted to get that 12th one so bad, so I could actually have a record for once because Steph has all the three-point records." Thompson said while talking on the Warriors' postgame.

With 22 games left in the 2023 season, Thompson sits just 21 3s behind Paul Pierce for 11th all-time and 99 3s behind Jamal Crawford for 10th all-time in NBA history.

Considered the best shooting backcourt of all time, Thompson has a realistic shot to join Curry in the top five of career 3-pointers made before his time as a player comes to an end.

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