Klay Thompson Sets NBA Record with 37 Points in a Quarter

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson scored 37 points in the third quarter of Friday's 126-101 win over the Sacramento Kings to set a new NBA record for most points in a single quarter, per NBA.com/Stats.

In one of the most memorable performances in league history, Thompson entered his historic quarter with a modest 13 points, having made just three of his nine field-goal attempts in the first half.

He didn't score his first points of the second half until he drained a mid-range jumper with nine minutes, 44 seconds remaining in the third quarter, but it was lights-out from that point on.

Thompson scored each of Golden State's next 17 points, with his 19-point streak only ending when he picked up an assist on a lay-up by forward Draymond Green.

Following the lay-up, Thompson scored Golden State's next 18 points, giving him 37 of the team's 41 points in a quarter that broke a close game wide open.

He made all 13 of his field-goal attempts in the quarter, with nine of those coming from beyond the arc.

Per NBA.com/Stats, the nine three-pointers represent a new league record for a single quarter, while the 13 field goals tied a league record, according to GSWStats on Twitter.

Thompson's 37 points broke the single-quarter record of 33 that was jointly held by Carmelo Anthony (2007-08) and George Gervin (1977-78), per ESPN Stats & Info.

Though his outburst staked the Warriors to a comfortable 97-73 lead entering the fourth quarter, Thompson was kept in the game to see if he could keep the remarkable hot streak going.

After missing all three of his field-goal attempts but draining a pair of free throws, Thompson was removed for good with 9:27 remaining in the game.

He finished the night with 52 points, two rebounds, five assists, four steals, two blocks and four turnovers over 33 minutes, having made 16 of his 25 field-goal attempts, including 11 of his 15 attempts from three-point range.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, Thompson's 73 percent conversion range from beyond the arc was the best in NBA history for any player attempting 15 or more three-pointers.

Furthermore, Thompson matched Stephen Curry's franchise record of 11 three-pointers made in a single game, which was set during Curry's 54-point performance against the New York Knicks in February 2013, per GSWStats on Twitter.

Had he made one more three-pointer, Thompson would have tied the NBA record of 12 in a single game, which is owned jointly by Kobe Bryant (Jan. 2003) and Donyell Marshall (Mar. 2005), per basketball-reference.com's play index.

Thompson may never have another performance like Friday's, but he'll look to keep his hot streak going Sunday night against the Boston Celtics.