Klay Thompson sets NBA record with 37 points in a quarter

Welcome to the history books, Klay Thompson. 

There aren't really any superlatives that can do justice to what the Warriors shooting guard/human flamethrower did in the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, so here are the basic facts: 

Thompson scored 37 points in the quarter. 37. Yes, that is an NBA record for points in a quarter. Only 23 players have even scored 37 points in a game this season. He hit 13-of-13 shots in the quarter. Nine of those shots were 3-balls. That is absolutely an NBA record for 3-pointers made in a quarter. 

Here's what that looks like in short chart form: 

Or, alternatively:

Here's what it looks like in real life: 

Perhaps most incredible is that at the 7:20 mark of the third Thompson had just five points in the quarter, and the Warriors trailed 64-63. By the time that 7:20 had ticked away, the Warriors were up 97-73 and Thompson was an NBA record holder.    

"I was taking a lot of bad shots out there," Thompson said afterwards, "but I was taking one until I missed."

The only unfortunate thing (or fortunate thing, if you live in Minnesota/are a nomadic Mo Williams fan) is that Thompson stretched the lead by so much, the Warriors basically had no choice but to sit him for the majority of the fourth. That meant he only ended up tied for the highest-scoring game (52) of the season, much to the surprise of the man who set the benchmark.

No, Thompson didn't get to 61. But we'll go out on a limb and say the Warriors don't regret not trading him for Kevin Love.