Klay Thompson says 42-point effort in win 'incredibly gratifying'

SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson doesn't like to think there are two versions of himself or his game — pre-injuries versus post-injuries — nor does he follow the mindset that he's «getting back» to who he was. He has found that it doesn't do him any favors and results in him forcing his game.

Instead, he says focusing on the current tasks at hand have allowed him to find stability.

«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 after he scored 42 points on Friday night in the Golden State Warriors' 116-101 win over the Houston Rockets. «So for me, it's just about hunting great shots, and tonight I did that.»

Thompson's performance came on the second night of a back-to-back, just his second time playing in both nights of a back-to-back since returning from his injuries. It's the most points he has scored in a game without Stephen Curry (lower left leg) and Draymond Green (right knee contusion).

«It's incredibly gratifying,» said Thompson, 32. «I always reflect on the year I was not playing. I think about the time I was sidelined, watching. Now, it's easy to put everything in perspective and appreciate being able to move my body and play with great pace and flow and not even hesitate or think about anything.»

All 12 of Thompson's field goals were 3-pointers, with 17 of his 19 field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc. He also went 6-of-6 from the free throw line. His 42 points and 12 3-pointers are both the most in a game by a player who did not make a 2-point field goal.

Thompson also became the first player in NBA history to make 12 3-pointers in multiple games in a season. Both have come in