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Ranking the Top 5 games of Klay Thompson’s career

By Josh Cornelissen

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after hitting a three-point basket in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 30, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 30: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after hitting a three-point basket in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 30, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Klay Thompson
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 05: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors looks during a break in the action against the Indiana Pacers in the second half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Top 5 games of Klay Thompson’s career: 3. Career-best 60 points vs Pacers

There have been 78 games in NBA history where a player has scored 60 or more points. Two of those games came in the playoffs, the other 76 in the regular season. The list of names is a who’s who of elite scorers, from Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird.

To reach those heights, players took full advantage of every minute afforded them to pack on the points. Eight players played more than the regulation 48 minutes to reach those lofty totals, and 64 of the 78 needed at least 40 minutes. Remarkably, at the other end of the list, Klay Thompson needed just 29.

That’s right – Klay Thompson scored 60 points, joining the exclusive club while playing just 29 minutes in a blowout win over the Indiana Pacers. Thompson was on fire the entire night, pouring in eight three-pointers and 10 free throws to help propel him to that total.

Perhaps most interestingly for him was the 13-of-19 from two-point range, with both his makes and attempts setting career-highs for him.

What is even more mind-boggling is how Thompson didn’t press to get those 60 points, or even drive things himself. He played his role as an off-ball player for his team, notching 60 points despite having the ball for only 90 seconds total. He took just 11 dribbles! Insane numbers.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1244804103533969410

How many points could Thompson have scored if the Pacers had kept the game more competitive and he had played a normal rotation in the fourth quarter? It’s exciting to think about.

70 points on 12 dribbles? 80 points on 14? Thompson can heat up like few others in league history, and being surrounded by some of the best players to ever play in the NBA sets him up for some iconic games.

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