The Remarkable Career and Stats of Golden State Warriors Superstar Klay Thompson

The Incredible Career of Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson has cemented himself as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history over his 11 year career so far. Playing for the Golden State Warriors since getting drafted in 2011, Thompson has been a core part of the Warriors dynasty that has won 4 championships in the last 8 years.

Let's take a deep dive into Thompson's stats and accomplishments to fully appreciate just how great his career has been.

Scoring and Shooting

Thompson is known first and foremost for his incredible shooting ability. He has led the league in made 3-pointers 3 times and is a career 41.9% shooter from behind the arc. He set the record for most 3-pointers made in a regular season game when he hit 14 against the Chicago Bulls in 2018.

For his career, Thompson averages 19.5 points per game on 45.9% shooting from the field. His effective field goal percentage of 58.2% is one of the highest in league history for a guard. Thompson has scored over 30 points per game twice in his career and has topped 20 points per game in every healthy season after his rookie year.

In addition to his elite 3-point shooting, Thompson is also an 89.9% free throw shooter. He uses his picture perfect form to consistently convert at the charity stripe.

Efficiency

What makes Thompson truly special is that he pairs his high volume scoring with elite efficiency. He has lead the NBA in effective field goal percentage twice in his career. Thompson is excellent at scoring within the flow of the offense without forcing bad shots.

For his career, Thompson averages 3.5 turnovers per 100 possessions. That extremely low turnover rate allows him to maximize each possession. He also moves well without the ball and does a good job getting open for catch-and-shoot opportunities.

Thompson has posted a true shooting percentage over .600 6 times in his career. His combination of 3-point shooting, finishing at the rim, and foul shooting lead to consistently stellar efficiency numbers.

Defense

While known mostly for his offense, Thompson is also an impressive defender. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive 2nd team in 2018 and 2019.

With quick feet and active hands, Thompson is able to disrupt opposing wings and guards. He also leverages his 6'7" wingspan well, allowing him to contest and block shots for a guard. For his career, Thompson averages 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.

Thompson is an important team defender for the Warriors. He can switch onto bigger players when needed and hold his own in the post. His defensive versatility is hugely valuable to Golden State's schemes.

Accolades

Here is a quick summary of some of the main accolades and achievements Thompson has earned so far in his career:

• 3x NBA Champion (2015, 2017, 2018)
• 5x NBA All-Star (2015-2019)
• 2x All-NBA 3rd Team (2015, 2016)
• NBA All-Rookie 1st Team (2012)
• 3x NBA leader in 3-pointers made (2013, 2015, 2016)
• NBA record for points scored in a quarter (37)
• NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a game (14)

Thompson has been recognized as one of the top players in the league and earned his place among the greatest shooters to ever play in the NBA.

Comeback from Injury

After missing the entire 2019-2020 season with a torn ACL and the 2020-2021 season with a torn Achilles, many wondered if Thompson would ever regain his old form. But he has proved doubters wrong with an impressive comeback.

In the 2022-2023 season so far, Thompson is averaging 20.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from 3. He dropped 54 points in a January game against the Hawks, showing he can still explode for big scoring nights.

Thompson's scoring, movement, and confidence continue to improve with each game. He seems to be rounding back into close to his peak form this season. It's been an inspiring comeback for the 5-time All-Star.

Outlook for the Future

At age 32, Thompson likely still has several elite seasons left in him. He has taken good care of his body and his game has never relied heavily on athleticism. Assuming he stays healthy, Thompson should continue to be one of the top two-way guards in the league.

With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Thompson together, the Warriors are primed to contend for more titles over the next 3-4 years. Thompson will keep working on getting his conditioning and feel back after the long injury layoff. But his shooting will always be a threat and the core of his game.

It will be exciting to see Thompson continue to climb the all-time leaderboards for most 3-pointers made. With his quick release and deep range, he could end up setting some career shooting records that stand for a long time in the NBA.

Thompson's journey back from two career-threatening injuries to playing at an All-Star level again is an inspiration. The rest of his career will just add to his growing legend as one of the greatest shooters and winners in NBA history.

FAQs

How many points does Klay Thompson average for his career?

Klay Thompson averages 19.5 points per game for his career on 45.9% shooting from the field and 41.9% from 3-point range.

What is Klay Thompson's highest scoring game?

Klay Thompson scored an NBA-record 37 points in the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings in 2015, finishing with 52 points for the game. He also scored 60 points in just 29 minutes against the Pacers in 2016.

What was Klay Thompson's best statistical season?

In the 2018-19 season, Thompson averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 46.7% from the field and 40.2% from 3-point territory.

How many NBA championships has Klay Thompson won?

Klay Thompson has won 3 NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

How many All-Star games has Klay Thompson been selected to?

Klay Thompson has been selected to 5 NBA All-Star games from 2015 to 2019. He missed the games in 2020 and 2021 due to injury.