How Klay Thompson's 37-point Quarter Changed My Life
Seven years ago, I randomly watched Klay Thompson score an unbelievable NBA record 37 points in one quarter.
I was able to convince my girlfriend to watch a random Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors game on a Friday night (!!) because:
A. We were getting a free preview of NBA League Pass that week.
B. I had Steph Curry on my fantasy basketball team.
C. My opponent that week also just so happened to have one Klay Thompson.
Since it was getting late, the compromise was that we would be watching the second half in bed.
It seemed like a normal game... and I was extremely close to falling asleep.
But I woke up when Klay started to catch fire, and that's how I got to witness the most insane HEAT CHECK flame-thrower of all-time unfold on live TV right in front of us while announcers Bob Fitzgerald and Jim Barnett, all of Oracle Arena, and anybody and everybody else watching at home collectively lost our freaking minds.
Splash. Splash. Splash.
It never stopped.
37 points in one quarter. The most points in a quarter EVER. A perfect 13-for-13 shooting and an NBA record nine 3-pointers in one. single. quarter.
Klay’s previous career-high for 3-pointers was eight for an entire game.
It was quite literally the most historic and flawlessly perfect quarter of basketball you could ever possibly watch.
When I think of that random Friday night in January 2015 now, I can still palpably feel the wave of euphoria and the rush of inspiration coursing through my veins.
The goosebumps return, almost as fierce as they were seven years ago.
I was still a basketball fan at that point in my life, but watching Klay erupt for the most points scored in one quarter in NBA history made me want to go back to being a basketball STAN. A basketball Stan that didn’t miss any of the unbelievable moments like this.
One of the best parts of watching the NBA and sports in general is the grand unpredictability of it all. You never know when something incredible will happen. You never know when you will witness game-changing history.
“When will Amazing happen next?”
Klay’s 3rd quarter was a grand culmination of all that to the highest degree. And from then on, I had a burning desire to be there watching, to always be watching and ready.
My dream job was becoming a sports writer after all. And after watching Klay in that game, I went back to chasing my dream.
Seven years later, I’m an NBA writer. Always watching, always ready.
And I just wanna say:
THANK YOU, KLAY.
Welcome back, old friend.
P.S. — You’re top-75 in my book!
