WASHINGTON — Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time in 12 years and scored a season-high 35 points on Thursday to lead Golden State over Utah 140-137.
The 34-year-old American guard, who has helped the Warriors capture four NBA titles, also reached the NBA career 15,000-point milestone as Golden State (27-26) won for the eighth time in 10 games.
“Klay coming off the bench gives us a lot of firepower,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of the move. “We’ll give it a little look and see where it goes from there.”
Thompson, who had not been a Golden State reserve since March 2012 as an NBA rookie, was himself replaced as a starter by a rookie, Brandin Podziemski, who scored 13 points.
Thompson hit 13-of-22 shots from the floor, 7-of-13 from 3-point range, and made the adjustment well according to Kerr.
“He handled everything beautifully,” Kerr said. “The way he came out – determined, competitive – that’s not easy, to come off the bench for the first time in (more than) 11 years. It’s difficult.
“But Klay is a champion. He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met. He responded accordingly and played a great game.”