NBA MVP candidate Steph Curry is usually the one stunning the crowd with an unbelievable performance, but it was his Splash Brother partner who took over on Monday night. Klay Thompson scored 42, including 26 in the second quarter, to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Memphis Grizzlies 111-107.
Thompson finished 15-of-21 from the floor, including 8-of-10 from three, in a performance similar to his record-setting 37-point quarter in January against the Sacramento Kings.
The Warriors did finish sloppy after leading by 32 points in the third quarter, as they were outscored 41-18 in the fourth while resting their regulars. That included both Thompson and Curry sitting out the entire final quarter. The Grizzlies cut the deficit to 4 in the final seconds, but Golden State was able to hold them off.
With the loss, Memphis fell to sixth place in the Western Conference, a game behind the Spurs and Rockets in the Southwest Division, in search of their first division title in franchise history. The Grizzlies played without Mike Conley and Tony Allen, while Marc Gasol and Jeff Green played through injuries. Gasol had 6 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes.
Thompson made his first 8 shots from the field to finish the first quarter with 11 points, getting the Warriors out to a 36-21 lead. He made 10-of-13 of his shots in the second quarter, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, to get the crowd of 19,596 on their feet.
One half of the "Splash Brothers" at one point scored 23 straight points in a 9-minutes span for Golden State. He had 37 points at the break and scored 5 in the third before sitting out the fourth.
The Warriors improved to 66-15 on the year and will finish the regular season at home against the Denver Nuggets. Memphis fell to 54-27 and will enjoy the regular season finale at home against the Indiana Pacers.
Thompson finished 15-of-21 from the floor, including 8-of-10 from three, in a performance similar to his record-setting 37-point quarter in January against the Sacramento Kings.
The Warriors did finish sloppy after leading by 32 points in the third quarter, as they were outscored 41-18 in the fourth while resting their regulars. That included both Thompson and Curry sitting out the entire final quarter. The Grizzlies cut the deficit to 4 in the final seconds, but Golden State was able to hold them off.
With the loss, Memphis fell to sixth place in the Western Conference, a game behind the Spurs and Rockets in the Southwest Division, in search of their first division title in franchise history. The Grizzlies played without Mike Conley and Tony Allen, while Marc Gasol and Jeff Green played through injuries. Gasol had 6 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes.
Thompson made his first 8 shots from the field to finish the first quarter with 11 points, getting the Warriors out to a 36-21 lead. He made 10-of-13 of his shots in the second quarter, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, to get the crowd of 19,596 on their feet.
One half of the "Splash Brothers" at one point scored 23 straight points in a 9-minutes span for Golden State. He had 37 points at the break and scored 5 in the third before sitting out the fourth.
The Warriors improved to 66-15 on the year and will finish the regular season at home against the Denver Nuggets. Memphis fell to 54-27 and will enjoy the regular season finale at home against the Indiana Pacers.
