Thompson’s 38 leads Warriors to impressive win against Bucks

BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER

Klay Thompson exploded for a season-high 38 points and Jordan Poole added 30 as the Warriors scored an impressive 122-109 wire to wire win over the Milwaukee Saturday night at Chase Center to snap the Bucks six game winning streak.

Thompson also recorded a season-high eight 3-pointers as Golden State avenged a 19 point road loss to the defending NBA champions two months ago. With Steph Curry transitioning into the roll of a facilitator with only seven field goal attempts for eight points (and a game-high eight assists), the Warriors instead relied on Thompson’s solid 15-24 shooting which was complimented by Poole (9-16 with five 3’s) along with 21 from Andrew Wiggins.

After an even first quarter, the Warriors created some distance between themselves and the Bucks as they established a 67-58 lead at the half in spite of another solid performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Employing a stifling defense in the paint that often seemed to tackle Antetokounmpo before he could get to the basket, Golden State repeatedly forced the two-time reigning MVP onto the free throw line where he converted just 12 of 18 attempts.

Jonathan Kuminga provided another strong effort off the bench, contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds for his second-career double-double while playing strong defense against Antetokounmpo. Khris Middleton scored 18 for the Bucks while Serge Ibaka added 15 off the bench.

The win allowed Golden State (46-22) to move into a tie with the Memphis Grizzlies for the second best record in the Western Conference. With Draymond Green expected to return to the lineup for Monday’s game against Washington after missing over two months of action, the Warriors will have just 14 regular season games with a potentially healthy roster intact to fine tune their rotation for their first playoff appearance since moving across the bay from Oakland. Second year center James Wiseman is also back on the floor for the first time in nearly a year playing G-League games and is expected to rejoin the team down the stretch to help bolster the teams strength in the middle.

Asked about Thompson’s performance after the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr responded, “I’m sure it’s a relief. He’s so hard on himself and wants so badly to succeed. I thought he just let the game come to him early. He didn’t hunt shots. Over the last few games he’s been taking tough ones early, which has kept him from getting into a rhythm. Tonight, it felt like he was taking better shots. Cleaner looks. Once a couple of them go in, then the tougher ones get a lot easier for him.” Thompson concurred, stating “I agree and I think it changed tonight because my shots were in rhythm, mostly off the catch and doing what I do best, moving off the ball and just staying patient to let the ball come to me within the offense.”

Thompson added, “Can’t wait for Draymond to get back because essentially he can run the point guard, on our offense, sets great screens and he just makes the right read 90% of the time. Then you combine all that with his fire to compete, he’s one-of-one.”

The Warriors return to the court at Chase Center Monday night for a 7pm tipoff against the Wizards.

GAME NOTES:

Poole has scored 30 points in three of his last four starts. Over his last six games he’s averaging 24.8 points and shooting 60.2 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from 3-point range and a league leading 93.8 percent from the line.

The Warriors grabbed 50-or-more rebounds for the 16th time this season and is 14-2 in those games.

Golden State improved their league best home record to 28-7.