Klay Thomspon accomplished something last Friday night that never happened before in NBA history. He scored 37 points in one quarter – the third quarter – on his way to scoring 52 points as Golden State Warriors blew out the Sacramento Kings 126-101.

By the way, Thompson didn’t miss a shot in that third quarter – going 13-for-13 from the field, including nine 3-pointers, and he hit both of his free throws.

I watched the highlights. Many of his shots were contested with defenders’ hands in his face. He was incredible – and while he was scoring 37 points in the third quarter, the Kings were scoring only 22 points in the quarter.

ESPN has the best highlights of his performance. I’d post the link, but they may remove it at some point.

George Gervin set the previous record of 33 points in a quarter back in 1978 and Carmelo Anthony tied the record in 2008.

Klay Thompson – 6-7 and 215 pounds out of Washington State – was the first-round pick of the Warriors in the 2011 NBA draft. He averaged 16.0 ppg during his first three years in the NBA.

Thompson finished with 52 points – which was the second-highest total by any Warriors player in the last 30 years. His teammate Stephen Curry scored 54 against the Knicks in the 2012-13 season.

Barry Bowe is the author of 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant.