SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson scored 33 points in the first half and the Warriors managed to keep the Phoenix Suns at Bay Monday night in Golden State’s 123-112 win.
The Warriors finally snapped out of their trend of lethargic starts with their loudest opening quarter of the season. Golden State attacked first, pulling ahead by as many as 25 points in the first.
Thompson was a big reason for that. He opened the floor gates early, pouring in 18 points in his first eight minutes before adding another 15 in the second quarter. He hit a 3-pointer over his arch nemesis Devin Booker just before the break to send the Warriors into the locker room up 75-58.
Thompson cooled off in the third, and the Suns, who were without Kevin Durant, did their best to battle back. The Warriors watched their 17-point lead dwindle to just three with 4:30 left in the third.
But Golden State built it back up to 10 by the start of the fourth and held on from there.
Stephen Curry finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Jordan Poole added 20 points off the bench.
The Warriors shot 54.2% from the field and went 19 of 39 from deep. Thompson and Curry combined for 12 of 20 from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, the Suns did most of their damage in the paint but struggled from 3-point range, shooting 4 of 21 from outside. Booker had a team-high 32 points and Deandre Ayton had 27.
The Warriors are 36-33 this season and are tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for fifth in the Western Conference standings. They’re 1 1/2 games behind the Phoenix Suns, who are in fourth.
Golden State, owners of a 7-26 away record, will hit the road for their next five games, stopping in Los Angeles on Wednesday before heading to Atlanta, Memphis, Houston and Dallas after that.
_____
