OAKLAND – After receiving a warm welcome from the sellout crowd at Oracle Arena, Klay Thompson and the Warriors went out and delivered an emphatic form of appreciation.
After a relatively tepid start, the Warriors cranked up their game and raced off with a 128-103 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Thompson scored a season-high 43 points - including 27 in the third - to lead an offense that outscored Phoenix 82-63 over the final 29 minutes.
Four other Warriors scored in double figures, as Stephen Curry tossed in a 25 points, while Draymond Green put in 16 and Brandon Rush and Marreese Speights each added 11 as the Warriors, who over the weekend took their first loss of the season, returned to their winning ways.
Propelled by a 46-point third quarter, their highest-scoring quarter of the season, the Warriors (25-1) extended their home streak to 29 games, including 11 in a row this season, to become the 10th team in NBA history to reach that level.
The Warriors, who have beaten the Suns in five consecutive games and in 13 of the last 16 meetings, totaled 32 assists – their 12th game with at least 30. Entering games of Wednesday, no other team had more than four such games.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Thompson was downright spectacular. After missing four of his first five shots, he locked in to make 11 of his next 17. He was 8-of-13 beyond the arc.
Though the Warriors held a 13-point lead at the half, Thompson’s torrid third quarter helped push the lead to 40.
TURNING POINT:
Trailing 42-38 with 5:00 left in the second quarter, the Warriors closed the half on a 21-4 run, taking a 59-46 lead into intermission.
That lead expanded to 21 (70-49) when the Warriors opened the second half with a 14-3 run in less than three minutes.
Phoenix never got closer than 19 after that, as the Warriors outscored the Suns 67-23 over the final five minutes of the first half and through the third quarter.
INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: F Harrison Barnes (L ankle sprain) and F Kevon Looney (hip surgery rehab) were listed as out and placed on the inactive list.
Suns: No injuries listed. G Bryce Cotton and F Cory Jefferson were placed on the inactive list.
WHAT’S NEXT:
The Warriors return to action Friday night, when they face the Milwaukee Bucks at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:35.
