OAKLAND, Calif. — Klay Thompson had an NBA season-high and career-best 60 points for the highest-scoring performance by a Golden State player in more than 42 years, and the Warriors whipped the Indiana Pacers 142-106 on Monday night.
Thompson raised his arms to encourage more of those steady “Klay! Klay! Klay!” chants then let it fly again and again.
He had 60 through three quarters and called it a night, sitting down with 1:22 left in the quarter as fans jumped to their feet for an extended standing ovation.
He scored 40 by halftime in 18-plus minutes. His total came in 29 minutes.
Thompson joined Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry and Joe Fulks as the only Warriors to score 60 points.
Barry was the last to do so, scoring 64 on March 26, 1974, against Portland.
Thompson shot 21 of 33 and 8 of 14 on three-pointers — 15 of 22 with five three-pointers in the first half — and converted 10 of 11 free throws in 29 minutes.
When he made a baseline three-pointer midway through the second quarter right in front of a teammate Stephen Curry on the bench, the shot sent the MVP into a tunnel-dashing frenzy of delight.
Previously this season, the highest scorers were Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook with 51 in an overtime game and Anthony Davis with 50 in regulation for New Orleans.
Kevin Durant added 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks for Golden State.
The Warriors’ 15 first-quarter assists matched a franchise record done twice previously, and they wound up with 45 total — two off the franchise record they set Nov. 24 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thompson scored 17 points in just under 9 minutes to begin the game and Golden State had 15 assists on its initial 17 baskets and led 38-27 after the first.
Paul George had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana a night after playing nearly 34 minutes and much of that with tissue in his bloody nose.