Klay Thompson was delighted after scoring 42 points against Houston Rockets on Friday night to lead his team to a 116-101 win. Thompson said he likes to back himself and has confidence in his abilities to deliver the goods for Golden State Warriors.
The talisman had to spend 941 days on the sidelines and returned to action last year. Thompson believes trying to focus on the current tasks at hand has helped him gain confidence at the top level.
“I’m being myself and I was capable of these things in the past, and as long as my wrist still works, my feet work, I’ll forever be able to shoot the rock,” Thompson said. “So for me, it’s just about hunting great shots, and tonight I did that.”
With Stephen Curry (lower left leg) and Draymond Green (right knee contusion) out with their respective injuries, the onus is on Thompson to deliver and he was able to lead his team from the front. Thompson said he is grateful to make a comeback and perform at the level he wants to.
“It’s incredibly gratifying,” said Thompson, 32. “I always reflect on the year I was not playing. I think about the time I was sidelined, watching. Now, it’s easy to put everything in perspective and appreciate being able to move my body and play with great pace and flow and not even hesitate or think about anything.”
Thompson also became the first player in NBA history to make 12 3-pointers in multiple games in a season.
“I did something that no one else has ever done before,” Thompson said. “I looked at Steph immediately when I did it because, I mean, that man’s got all the records, so it’s fun to push the game forward with him. I’m still so hungry to be great. I’ll never be satisfied.”
Golden State Warriors will next take on Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.
