Klay Thompson was on fire for much of the Golden State Warriors’ Tuesday night victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He wrapped the evening with 41 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including a 7-of-14 showing from beyond the arc.
This is the latest in a long string of spectacular outings for Thompson. Since March 8, a span covering 14 games, he’s averaging 25.8 points on 51.3 percent shooting overall to go along with a 47.4 percent clip from downtown.
The secret to his nightly detonations?
The weather.
From ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes:
“I probably say the weather has gotten better,” he said. “The sunshine has been so good to me. Been able to get outside, it just puts me in a great mood to come to the gym every day, get my work in and go home and enjoy the outdoors. And the Bay Area is beautiful. That’s a big part of it. Not even kidding. It’s been so nice to get outside.”
No doubt hard work and chemistry and general flow has helped Thompson more than anything. But who doesn’t love springtime in the Bay Area?
Other than the Warriors’ opponents, specifically those tasked with defending Thompson, of course.
With Kevin Durant expected to make his return this Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans, Thompson’s run of terror might come to a screeching halt. Though Thompson has adjusted to the full-strength dynamic nightly, it’ll be tough to get him 20 shots a game with both Durant and Curry on the floor.
Who knows, though, maybe he’ll just shoot 10-of-12 from three-point range every night. The nice weather, after all, isn’t going anywhere.
