Klay Thompson on 42 Points in Warriors' Win vs. Rockets: I'm 'So Hungry to Be Great'

Klay Thompson gave the Golden State Warriors a much-needed spark by scoring 42 points with 12-of-17 shooting from three-point range in Friday's 116-101 win over the Houston Rockets.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Thompson said he's "still so hungry to be great" after winning four NBA championships and playing in five All-Star Games.

"I did something that no one else has ever done before," he also said. "I looked at Steph [Curry] 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."

Thompson made history against the Rockets by becoming the first player in NBA history to make at least 12 threes multiple times in a single season. He also made 12 in a Feb. 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Thompson, 33, is no longer the same dynamic two-way player he was at his peak before missing two consecutive seasons with a torn ACL and then a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Even with some limitations to his game, though, Thompson has proved he's still capable of taking over. He has four games with at least 10 three-pointers this season and scored 54 points in a Jan. 2 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

"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 Friday.

This has been a frustrating season for the Warriors. Injuries and disappointing performances have contributed to their 30-30 record.

Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins didn't play against the Rockets. Curry and Wiggins have combined to miss 45 games already this season.

The Warriors on Wednesday announced Curry will be reevaluated next week as he works his way back from a left leg injury. Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters Friday there was no timetable for a return by Wiggins, who was out because of a personal matter.

This has put more pressure on Thompson. He's done a great job of stepping up his game with 25.5 points per game and 45.6 percent three-point shooting in 12 starts since Jan. 25.

Friday marked the third time in the past seven games Thompson scored at least 30 points. He had five such games in his first 41 games of the season.

The Warriors had lost four of five games and were in danger of dropping to 10th place in the Western Conference. They have yet to hit their stride, but if Curry returns soon and Thompson keeps playing at such a high level, no one would be surprised to see them make a deep postseason run.