OAKLAND -- Maybe it’s the comforts of home, whether it’s hangout out with his pet Rocco or pulling into the familiar surroundings of Oracle Arena, but Klay Thompson is holding up his end of his promise.
The sixth-year guard is back to punishing opposing defenses, as he consistently vowed would happen during what amounted to a three-game cold spell.
“Klay had it rolling early,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Thompson provided the offensive spark Tuesday night that led to a 122-92 mauling of the Magic.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Thompson brought the fire, and he brought it early, scorching Orlando for 21 points in the first 10 minutes. It was his third 20-point quarter this season, the first two coming in his 60-point game against the Pacers on Dec. 5.
Thompson made his first shot, missed his second and then made the next seven in a row. He made his first five 3-pointers.
“It definitely helps when you make four or five in a row,” Thompson said. “You feel like every shot is going to go in. And tonight was one of those nights where I was just in a great rhythm from the jump.”
Thompson’s hot start generated a momentum that lasted the entire night. He stayed aggressive but tailed off later, missing eight of his last 11 shots, but he had done enough damage with his early work.
Golden State Warriors
You can definitely see it in his body language,” Draymond Green said, “because he’s definitely going to chase that next one. Klay definitely shows you.
“The thing was, they were all great shots. Guys continued to find him. He continued to move without the basketball . . . he gave you lanes to get him the ball, and once you got it to him he was knocking them down. Then, all of a sudden, he started taking them off the dribble and knocking tough shots down.”
Thompson totaled 29 points, most of them in transition. The Warriors’ defense forced 21 turnovers, off which they scored 36 points.
“We were able to get out in transition, just from our stops,” Thompson said. “And when Draymond and Steph (Curry) are pushing the break, usually something great happens. And tonight was one of those nights where if you get a few good looks early, you can take a couple tough ones and they went in.”
Thompson after the three-game slump during which he was 8-of-33 from deep, he has made 13 of his last 24.
“I want to carry this momentum into Saturday and build up some wins here, especially at home,” he said.