If you’ve been debating whether Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson should be an All-Star this year, it’s time to stop that debate.
The sharp shooter had the most points in a single quarter in NBA history on Friday night against the Sacramento Kings, scoring a mind-boggling 37 points in the third quarter and just about breaking twitter in the process.
What was a close game – the Kings led by two points with 7:15 left to go in the third quarter – turned into an utter blowout, thanks to Thompson’s magical performance. With the Warriors up by well over 20 points, the guard ended his night early in the fourth quarter with the following line: 52 points on 16-of-25 shooting from the field, 11-of-15 from the 3-point line, 9-of-10 from the stripe, two rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks.
NBA players around the league were simply mesmerized by the performance and reacted accordingly on twitter:
Klay Thompson 37 points in one quarter is unreal teams aim for those numbers not one player lol
— Darius Morris (@dariusmorris4) January 24, 2015
“@SportsCenter: @KlayThompson sets NBA record for points in a quarter: – 37 Pts – 13-13 FG – 9-9 3-pt FG pic.twitter.com/9xiTf6VapZ cc @BFalchuk — Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) January 24, 2015
It’s safe to say I’m taking a sick day for tomorrow’s film session if I was checking Klay.
— Landry Fields (@landryfields) January 24, 2015
I once scored 37 points in a quarter. Yeah, I turned the quarter lengths to 20 minutes each on NBA 2K. Unreal Mr. @KlayThompson, unreal. — Landry Fields (@landryfields) January 24, 2015
Klay cut it out man….. Jesus
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) January 24, 2015
Omggggggg pic.twitter.com/uEmhxzutDu — BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) January 24, 2015
Klay had that 2k perfect release on them boys lol
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) January 24, 2015
WOW!!! — DeAndre Jordan (@deandrejordan6) January 24, 2015
On the plane flying back to Chicago and following Klay Thompson going off on the Kings… 37 points on the 3rd quarter is just insane!
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 24, 2015
How u let somebody give 37 n a quarter…. — speedy claxton (@speeddeamon) January 24, 2015
Damn I wish I was in front of a TV right now. Heard Klay Thompson is putting on a show. 50 w/ a qtr to go. 37pts in the 3rd. Is this true?
— Nazr Mohammed (@NazrMohammed) January 24, 2015
Big time performance by Klay Thompson — Greivis Vasquez (@greivisvasquez) January 24, 2015
No way he got 37 points in a qt!!!!!!!!!! Oh my lord.
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) January 24, 2015
Klay Thompson post game interview pic.twitter.com/BHQwkljEKE — rudy gobert (@rudygobert15) January 24, 2015
I’m saying 61 2nite for Klay
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) January 24, 2015
Klay Thompson……..WOW 50! But 37 in the 3rd, 13-13 from the field in one quarter!!!!! Sac……where’s D’fence? — Bruce Bowen (@Bowen12) January 24, 2015
“His Mama call him Klay, I’m going call him KLAY”!!! Shooters Shoot!! #WelcomeToThe50Club..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) January 24, 2015
If Klay Thompson isnt an All Star I will quit basketball for good…he just had 37pts in the QUARTER….yes you read that correct — Anthony Tolliver (@ATolliver44) January 24, 2015
I’ve never seen a shooting exhibition like this from anyone in my life and I have seen slot of great scorers
— Bobby Jackson (@TheBobbyJackson) January 24, 2015
Never in my life have I seen something like this live……F’ing Klay! — Tom Tolbert (@byronjr23) January 24, 2015
IVE NEVER SEEN NOTHING LIKE THIS #KLAY
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 24, 2015
Wow. Klay — Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 24, 2015
That boy Clay Thompson on fiiiiiiire !!! Wow
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 24, 2015
The quarter pic.twitter.com/oOdQw6GBkQ — Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) January 24, 2015
Here’s dad Mychal Thompson watching his son Klay drop an NBA record 37 points in one quarter on the LAL team plane: pic.twitter.com/ebnR9N4h3R
— Mike Trudell (@MikeTrudell) January 24, 2015
Mychal Thompson in the back of the @Lakers team plane watching his son go absolutely nuts in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/OZs2S97AhR — Ty Nowell (@tynowell) January 24, 2015
Loggers and editors at @NBATV and @NBAcom are standing and clapping as #Klay Thompson checks out. I’ve never seen that in 20 years #Warriors
— nbabeau (@NBABeau) January 24, 2015
This is as good a time as any to acknowledge I was pretty damn wrong about GSWs decision to keep/max Klay as opposed to dealing him for Love — Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) January 24, 2015
Keep it rolling @warriors . @KlayThompson was just completely stupid tonight!!!!! 52 pts on 25 shots!!! #automatic
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 24, 2015
37 in 1 quarter?! What?!? @KlayThompson
— Nemanja Nedovic (@nedovic1624) January 24, 2015
Man…what a night. Gotta give credit to my teammates most unselfish group I ever played with. God is good!
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) January 24, 2015
Man…what a night. Gotta give credit to my teammates most unselfish group I ever played with. God is good!
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) January 24, 2015
Unreal Killa Klay
— Brandon Rush (@BRush_25) January 24, 2015
I think Klay has the all-time heat check. That was the Wilt’s 100-point game of heat checks.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 24, 2015
What I wanted to say tonight……Are you f*cking serious? Holy f*ck and Klay is out of his m*therf*cking skull right now
— Tom Tolbert (@byronjr23) January 24, 2015
@KlayThompson Welcome to the 50 Point Club Brotha!!!
— Tracy Murray (@RealTracyMurray) January 24, 2015
Klay Thompson is a BAD MAN #NBABallot http://t.co/1ch4FvcCOd
— Festus Ezeli (@fezzyfel) January 24, 2015
Had to hit him with the shower!! Geeez @KlayThompson #NBABallot https://t.co/cpE9cFB6b8
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) January 24, 2015
Still in shock! This guy @klaythompson was unreal tonight! 37! 37! 37! If he’s not an All-Star next… http://t.co/UbyDRB00Fg
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 24, 2015
Hey now, you’re an all star @KlayThompson #NBA2Klay
— Andre Iguodala (@andre) January 24, 2015
I just saw klay high lites on ESPN sh.. he can shoot !!
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) January 24, 2015
The best movie I have ever seen !!! Thanks for the show @KlayThompson #dubnation
— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) January 24, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.