Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson keeps finding new ways to remind the league why his name belongs among basketball’s elite shooters. On Thursday, January 15, Thompson delivered a throwback performance as the Dallas Mavericks dismantled the Utah Jazz 144-122 at home. In just 23 minutes, the 35-year-old poured in 26 points, knocking down six three-pointers and etching his name deeper into NBA history, Sports Casting reports.
One of those first-quarter makes carried extra weight. With that shot, Klay Thompson moved past Damian Lillard on the league’s all-time list for career three-pointers, climbing into fourth place. The milestone marked another chapter in a career defined by consistency, sacrifice, and a deep-rooted love for shooting the basketball.
A Milestone Rooted in Love for the Game
Thompson pointed to passion, not numbers, as the driving force behind his latest achievement. He credited countless hours spent shooting on a driveway hoop growing up, describing basketball as both joy and escape. That love still fuels him, even as his role has evolved later in his career.
“Just my love for the game. I love shooting the basketball. I was very lucky to grow up with a hoop in my driveway — a really nice one, break away rim, big backboard. It was always my source of joy and form of escapism for me to get away from school work or whatever chores I had that day. It was like my favorite hobby, just to go to the net. Swish. The fact that it’s amount to this, it’s incredible and it inspires me to keep going … it’s truly just because I love shooting the basketball so much. That’s always been my favorite thing to do.”
The move to Dallas followed 11 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, where Thompson helped build a dynasty and won four championships. In the summer of 2024, he signed a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, committing through the 2026-27 season. During the 2024-25 campaign, Thompson started all 72 games he appeared in, averaging 14.0 points per contest while adjusting to a new system and new expectations.
When Thompson arrived, the appeal centered on playing alongside Luka Doncic, one of the league’s premier talents. That vision shifted dramatically when former general manager Nico Harrison dealt Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline, bringing back Anthony Davis. Injuries limited Davis to 20 games after the move, yet Thompson stayed steady amid the roster upheaval.
Climbing a Historic List, One Shot at a Time
Thursday’s milestone placed Thompson in rare company. He now owns 2,809 career three-pointers, trailing only Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Hall of Famer Ray Allen. Thompson acknowledged the influence of Allen and Reggie Miller, citing their off-ball movement, clutch shooting, and ability to thrive under pressure as blueprints for his own game, per The Athletic.
“I wouldn’t be here without Reggie Miller and Ray Allen,” Thompson said. “I watched those two religiously as a teenager. Especially their ability to move off the ball and read and react to screens. And to take the clutch shots in the most pressurized moment. Those two guys were the standard for the shooting guard for me. Just to be on a list with them is surreal. I really, really loved their games growing up. They really inspired me to be the player I am today.”
Now no longer a full-time starter in 2025-26, Thompson embraces his role off the bench, ready to contribute whenever his number is called. Against Utah, that readiness translated into instant offense and a history-making moment. One smooth release, one familiar swish, and another reminder that Thompson’s shooting touch still travels with him, regardless of jersey or circumstance.