The Kings were victims of Klay Thompson’s record-setting performance and fell to the Warriors 126-101 Friday night at Oracle Arena.
Thompson’s career-high 52 points included scoring 37 points in the third quarter - an NBA record for points scored in a quarter - electrifying the Golden State home crowd. Thompson was a perfect 13-for-13 from the floor including 9-for-9 from 3-point range and 2-for-2 from the free throw line.
The Washington State product scored 37 of Golden State’s 41 points in the stanza.
Sacramento trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half but fought back and began the second half on a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the night at 58-56. But then Thompson’s history-making performance ensued.
The Kings were paced by DeMarcus Cousins' 28 points and 11 rebounds. Darren Collison added 15 points while Quincy Miller contributed 13 points and Nik Stauskas 11 points off the bench in the losing effort
The Warriors were led by Thompson’s career-high 52 points and Marreese Speights (19), Draymond Green (11), and Stephen Curry (10) rounded out Golden State’s double figure scorers.
Curry also added 11 assists on the night.
Sacramento (16-27) is now in the midst of its longest losing streak of the season, dropping its sixth straight game and falls to 6-12 on the road.
Golden State (35-6) has the NBA’s best record and has won four straight games including 12 of its last 13 outings. The Warriors are a near insuperable 20-1 at home this season.
Golden State came out on fire and led by 18 points 26-8 but Sacramento bounced back outscoring the Warriors 17-8 to cut the deficit to single digits at 34-25 at the end of the first quarter.
Rudy Gay was ejected after picking up two quick technical fouls at the 8:15 mark punctuating the second quarter. Gay was hot after being whistled for a foul on Thompson and hit the showers early.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Klay Thompson’s career-high 52 points including an NBA-record for points in a quarter going for 37 points in the third made for an historic night at Oracle Arena.
TURNING POINT:
Thompson’s unconscious third quarter extended the Warriors lead to 97-73 heading into the final stanza.
INJURY REPORT:
Kings: F Carl Landry (right wrist sprain) and F Eric Moreland (left shoulder labral tear) were out.
Warriors -- C Festus Ezeli (left ankle sprain) and Andre Iguodala (rest) were out.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Kings four game road trip begins Monday at Madison Square Garden versus the Knicks.
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