On This Day in 2015: Klay Thompson's Historic 37-Point Quarter Shattered NBA Records

23 Jan 2025 ScoreWaves Staff view

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23rd January 2015 is a date that basketball fans will never forget. On this night, Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors delivered one of the most jaw-dropping individual performances in NBA history, scoring an incredible 37 points in a single quarter. His third-quarter explosion against the Sacramento Kings set an NBA record for the most points in a single quarter – a record that still stands today.

At halftime, Thompson had a modest 13 points. The Warriors were comfortably leading, and while the game seemed like another routine win during their dominant 2014-15 campaign, Thompson was about to turn it into something extraordinary. The third quarter began, and Thompson quickly caught fire. What followed was a near-superhuman display of shooting. He went 13-for-13 from the field, including a perfect 9-for-9 from three-point range. Whether it was a catch-and-shoot three, a pull-up jumper, or a fast-break finish, Thompson couldn’t miss. Every shot seemed effortless, as if he were shooting on an empty court.

The Kings threw multiple defenders at him, trying to disrupt his rhythm, but it didn’t matter. Thompson was in “the zone” – a rare state of complete focus and execution where everything feels automatic. By the time the quarter ended, he had scored 37 points in just 12 minutes, shattering the previous record of 33 points in a quarter, held by George Gervin and Carmelo Anthony.

Efficiency at its Peak

What made Thompson’s performance so astonishing wasn’t just the scoring total but the efficiency with which he achieved it. He didn’t miss a single shot in the quarter, going 13-for-13 from the field. His nine three-pointers also set a record for the most in a single quarter. And perhaps most impressively, Thompson barely needed the ball to create his magic. Over the entire quarter, he dribbled the ball only 11 times and held it for a mere 90 seconds. It was a masterclass in off-the-ball movement and catch-and-shoot brilliance.

By the end of the game, Thompson had 52 points, and the Warriors cruised to a 126-101 victory. Yet the scoreline felt like an afterthought. All anyone could talk about was Thompson’s third-quarter heroics.

A Moment That Defined an Era

This performance wasn’t just a personal milestone for Thompson—it was a defining moment for the Warriors and their revolutionary brand of basketball. Under head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors had embraced a fast-paced, three-point-heavy system that would go on to dominate the NBA for years. Thompson’s record-breaking quarter was a perfect example of the power of that system when executed at the highest level.

It also elevated Thompson’s status in the league. While Stephen Curry was already garnering MVP buzz and Draymond Green was emerging as a defensive anchor, Thompson’s historic quarter reminded everyone just how deadly he could be. He wasn’t just Curry’s sidekick; he was a star in his own right.

The Aftermath

Thompson’s performance sent shockwaves through the basketball world. Fans and analysts alike struggled to find the words to describe what they had just witnessed. Even Thompson himself seemed a bit stunned, though he remained characteristically humble, crediting his teammates and the coaching staff for putting him in positions to succeed.

Teammates like Draymond Green and Stephen Curry couldn’t hide their awe. Green described the performance as “something I’ll never forget,” while Curry marveled at the ease with which Thompson scored. The numbers speak for themselves, but the memory of that night is about more than statistics. It’s about the joy and excitement of watching a player perform at an otherworldly level, doing things that seem impossible to everyone else.