Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson erupts in 4th quarter to down Los Angeles Lakers

SAN FRANCISCO — The final stretch of the Golden State Warriors' Saturday night game against the Los Angeles Lakers felt eerily similar to the game they played against the New York Knicks just two days before.

The Warriors were having trouble with the Lakers' size. There was too much ball-watching. Their execution was poor.

But there was a major, game-changing difference. After missing the shot that would have sent their game against the Knicks to overtime, Klay Thompson came out as a flamethrower through the final quarter in Saturday's 117-115 win, scoring 16 points in the final frame alone. That's the most he's scored in a single quarter since 2018.

His 33 points — which he did on 12-of-22 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three — in 30 minutes are both season highs.

«After not feeling that feeling for a few years, don't take a 30-ball lightly in this league,» Thompson said.

«I know that is always in me, but these things happen naturally. I can't — If I can play to do that every fourth quarter, I would. It's not the game of ball. It's the flow of the game. Great things happen with time.»

Thompson was visibly upset after missing that midrange shot Thursday night against New York. He called it the perfect shot. That alone was enough fuel to get him going against L.A. But then there was also that added boost from facing the Lakers.

«I always get excited to play the Lakers,» Thompson said after Thursday's game. «Some of my best memories of life are just going with my dad [former Lakers center and current broadcaster Mychal Thompson] when I was in high school, sitting with him in his booth and watching him call the games. Watching Kobe play. It's always awesome playing your hometown team.»

Thompson had a perfectly fine night