Instant Replay: Klay's huge game paces Warriors to win No. 23

Share

BOX SCORE

Facing perhaps the biggest challenge yet to their early-season invincibility, the Warriors responded Tuesday night with one of their most impressive performances this season.

Their 131-123 victory over the Indiana Pacers was not as close as the score would indicate. Until the final 11 minutes, when Indy trimmed a 25-point deficit to six, it was a study in domination.

Klay Thompson, who spearheaded the rout at both ends of the floor, scored a season-high 39 points before leaving in the final minute with an apparent sprained right ankle.

The victory moved the Warriors to 23-0 this season, lifted their overall win streak to 27 – tying the 2012-13 Miami Heat for the second-longest in NBA history – and made the defending champs the first team in NBA history to win its first 13 road games.

Thompson led all scorers, while Stephen Curry fired in 29 points, adding 10 assists, seven rebounds and three steals. Three other Warriors scored in double figures, as Andrew Bogut finished with 14, Brandon Rush had 13 and Festus Ezeli added 12.

The Warriors shot 54.7 percent for the game, while the Pacers (12-8) finished at 44.0 percent.

Golden State Warriors

Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

Butler's debut brings Warriors fresh start for playoff push

Butler reveals mindset behind Warriors' second-half comeback win

STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Thompson wins the honor after submitting his most impressive game of the season.

He scored 17 points in the first quarter and never let up in posting his fifth consecutive game with 20 or more points. He also was among the defenders that made Indiana star Paul George work exceedingly hard for his 33 points.

Thompson’s line: 39 points (13-of-21 shooting, including 10-of-16 from beyond the arc), seven rebounds and six assists.

The Bogut/Ezeli big man combination also made a major impact, as the two combined for 26 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks.

TURNING POINT:
Down 21-15 with 6:35 left in the first quarter, the Warriors reeled off a 22-0 run to take a 37-21 lead with 1:53 left in the half. They held Indian to 0-of-9 shooting, with two turnovers during that span.

The Pacers didn’t narrow it to single digits until a fourth-quarter surge cut it to six with 24.8 seconds left.

INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: G Leandro Barbosa (stomach flu), listed as questionable, was declared out prior to game time. F Harrison Barnes (L ankle sprain) and F Kevon Looney (hip surgery) were placed on the inactive list.

Pacers: F/C Myles Turner (L thumb chip fracture) was listed as out.

WHAT’S NEXT:
The Warriors return to action Friday night in Boston, where they will face the Celtics at TD Garden.

Contact Us