Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson discusses 60-point game against the Pacers with Paul George on Podcast P
Klay Thompson had one of the most famous performances in recent NBA history against the Indiana Pacers in 2016.
On December 5, with the two teams battling in Golden State, the star guard scored 60 points and dribbled just 11 times during the game. In 29 minutes of action, Thompson went 21/33 from the field while being 8/14 from long range. He couldn't miss, and the Pacers couldn't stop him.
Armed with Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green, that Warriors team was already difficult to contain and gameplan for. That particular night, they were unbeatable.
Thompson recently joined Paul George on George's podcast, Podcast P, and the two discussed that memorable game right at the beginning of the episode. George was the star of Indiana's roster at the time, so he had a front-row seat to the scoring explosion.
"Back in the day, playing with Kevin and Steph, you had to scout for them. Luckily, you [weren't] on me that night," Thompson said to George. George was guarding Durant while Monta Ellis started the game on Thompson.
"Just one of those days where everything felt great... I was getting good looks the whole night playing within the offense. Zaza [Pachulia] setting those dirty picks, getting me wide open," he continued. The Warriors star had 40 points at halftime. "Draymond was putting it in the pocket for once actually, right on the seams," he added, noting that Curry and Durant's gravity helped him be open all night.
George finished that game with 21 points and 10 rebounds, but his Pacers fell 142-106. It wasn't close. Ellis finished with nine points.
Thompson ended up averaging 22.3 points per game that season, a career high, as he was named an All-Star. The Warriors would go on to win their second of four recent championships that season.
George discussed how difficult it was to contain that star-studded Golden State team, especially for the Pacers. Indiana started two smaller guards that season, so switching on defense was difficult at times for Nate McMillan's squad.
Later on in the podcast, the two stars chatted for a bit about Pacers center Myles Turner and his growth as a player and person. "It's crazy to call him a vet," George said at about the 1:33:40 mark. He and Turner played together for two seasons with the Pacers.
The full episode can be seen on YouTube here or heard on Spotify here.
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