Klay Thompson dropped a season-high 35 points in 28 minutes off the bench in the Golden State Warriors' 140-137 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
The Warriors started rookie guard Brandin Podziemski over Thompson. The 34-year-old hadn't come off the bench since his rookie season in 2012.
Thompson shot 13-of-22, including 7-of-13 from deep. He also added six rebounds and two assists.
The veteran guard had struggled over his previous 10 contests, averaging 15.7 points while shooting 38% from the field and 30% from three. He's shooting career lows from the field and from distance this campaign.
Thompson said head coach Steve Kerr informed him of the benching Thursday morning, according to Mercury News' Shayna Rubin.
"I realized I'm gonna play a lot of minutes. So you have to let the ego (go) when you think about coming off the bench," he said. "I thought of Manu Ginobili, that guy has four rings and a gold medal, and he came off the bench his whole career."
Warriors forward Draymond Green contributed 23 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks in 29 minutes Thursday. Podziemski scored 13 points in his starting role.
The win marked head coach Steve Kerr's 500th regular-season victory. He's the fifth-fastest bench boss to reach the milestone, according to the Warriors.
Golden State's next contest is after the All-Star break.
Thompson is on the final season of a five-year, $189.9-million contract. One of the most decorated players in franchise history, he was named to five All-Star teams and won four championships with Golden State.
