Klay Thompson sinks late 3 to snap Heat losing streak
The 36-year-old guard scored 30 points and hit a game-winner with one second left in overtime against the Clippers.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
Klay Thompson turned on the heat with one second remaining in overtime, draining a corner three-pointer to give the Miami Heat a 117-116 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The shot capped a 20-point comeback for Miami, which had trailed by that margin earlier in the game.
The Heat entered the contest with a 0-4 record, losing their first four games of the season. They had been rebuilding their roster following a July trade that brought Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. Thompson, a four-time NBA champion, joined the team in the summer after agreeing to a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks.
The game remained tight until the final moments of regulation. A controversial sequence occurred as Miami challenged a foul call on Pelle Larsson. Officials determined that Bam Adebayo had committed a defensive foul during the play, allowing Rui Hachimura to shoot two free throws. Hachimura missed the first but made the second, forcing an extra period.
Thompson played a pivotal role in the second half, scoring a team-high 30 points. He made eight three-pointers, a personal milestone that had not occurred for him since December 2023 while he was still with the Golden State Warriors. His performance helped erase the Clippers' early lead alongside a strong defensive effort from the Heat.
With the Clippers holding a two-point advantage in the final seconds of overtime, Adebayo set a baseline screen for Thompson. Antetokounmpo inbounded the ball directly to the corner. Thompson caught the pass, planted his feet, and released the shot before Clippers guard Kobe Sanders could close out the defense.
"I felt like I had so much space," Thompson said after the game. He noted that the left corner is the easiest perimeter shot for a right-handed shooter. Antetokounmpo praised the screen by Adebayo and the execution of the final play, stating that he always feels confident when Thompson attempts a shot.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra highlighted the team's resilience. He noted that Thompson is maintaining his physical condition despite his age, which allows him to display his skills. Spoelstra described the win as a result of the team's defensive intensity and grit, saying the players finally earned their "ice" after a rocky start to the season.
