On Sunday, Klay Thompson delivered a standout performance for the Dallas Mavericks in the absence of Kyrie Irving, scoring a team-high 25 points. However, despite his strong contribution, the Mavericks were defeated 112-101 by the Denver Nuggets. While the team fell short of victory, Thompson’s individual achievement added a special moment to the game.
Thompson’s 25-point performance marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became the 125th player in NBA history to reach 16,000 career points. This is a phenomenal feat for any player, but for Thompson, it’s a reminder of just how extraordinary the achievements of other NBA legends, such as Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, truly are.
Thompson’s milestone comes at a time when James continues to rewrite NBA history, reaching an astonishing 40,000 points. In his post-game press conference, Thompson humbly reflected on his achievement and acknowledged LeBron James’ remarkable accomplishment.
“It’s cool, but it makes you realize how ridiculous it is that LeBron has 40,000. That’s insane. It’s cool. Any time you do something like that in the NBA, it’s a special moment,” Klay said.
Klay Thompson on reaching 16,000 career points:
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) January 13, 2025
“It’s cool, but it makes you realize how ridiculous it is that LeBron has 40,000. Ridiculous. That’s insane.”
(via @dallasmavs) pic.twitter.com/dRzSBuvI8P
Thompson’s 16,000th career point came during the second quarter of Sunday’s game when he knocked down a three-pointer. By the end of the game, he had totaled 16,013 career points. Along with his scoring performance, Thompson also contributed six rebounds and two assists.
Klay Thompson Praises Mavs’ Young Star Dereck Lively II After Loss to Nuggets
After the Dallas Mavericks’ tough loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Klay Thompson took a moment during the post-game press conference to praise the team’s young star, Dereck Lively II. Despite the loss, Lively’s performance stood out, and Thompson couldn’t help but express his admiration for the 20-year-old.
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“I can’t believe D-Live is only 20 years old. What a great player he is and will continue to be. He’s just scratching the surface of what he can be. So active, so athletic. What an incredible gift for him to be on our roster. It’s an honor to play with him,” Thompson said.
Lively certainly showed his skills in the game, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. The Mavericks will face the Nuggets again on Tuesday, and Thompson and Lively will undoubtedly be aiming to bounce back with a win in their next game.
