Klay Thompson Torches Kids in 3-Point Shootout, Taunts ‘Em Like an NBA Rival

Few NBA players have as much confidence in their shot as Klay Thompson, and this weekend, he proved it—by drilling 3-pointers over children and taunting them like they were NBA rivals. Yes, you read that right. Thompson, the Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter and longtime Golden State Warriors legend, turned a casual fan event into a comedic (and slightly ruthless) showcase of his elite shooting skills, leaving kids, parents, and the internet either laughing or shaking their heads in disbelief.

The Event: A Treasure Island Spectacle

On Saturday afternoon, Thompson co-hosted an event on Treasure Island in San Francisco, a scenic location best known for its stunning skyline views and now—thanks to Klay—a legendary beatdown of unsuspecting young hoopers. Partnering with his shoe sponsor, Anta, and Shoe Palace, Thompson took center stage to engage with fans, answer questions, and, apparently, crush childhood dreams with a barrage of three-pointers.

Klay Wants Another 3-Point Crown

During the Q&A session, Thompson dropped a bombshell that got the crowd buzzing: he plans to compete in the NBA 3-point contest next year.

“I need one more,” Thompson declared, prompting cheers from fans who remember his 2016 victory in the event. If he follows through, the 2026 contest in Los Angeles will mark exactly 10 years since he last claimed the title, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback story. With the event happening at the Clippers’ brand-new Intuit Dome, it could serve as a homecoming moment for Klay, whose father, Mychal Thompson, was a Lakers great.

Thompson has a storied history in the 3-point shootout, making four consecutive appearances from 2015 to 2018. He famously lost to his Splash Brother, Steph Curry, in 2015 but got revenge a year later, beating Curry 27-23 to win the contest. He reached the final round again in 2018 but lost to Devin Booker. Since then, injuries and a long recovery process have kept him from competing.

The Real Show: Klay vs. Kids

While the 3-point contest announcement was exciting, the real viral moment of the day came when Thompson took on a group of children in a pickup shooting competition. And let’s just say, he didn’t hold back.

Picture this: ten kids, all eager to take down an NBA superstar, swarming around Thompson like a full-court press in the Finals. But Klay? He calmly stepped behind the arc, pulled up, and drained shots over their outstretched arms—one after another.

And then came the taunting.

After sinking each three, Thompson flashed his signature “glasses” celebration right in the kids’ faces, mimicking the way he often celebrates big shots in NBA games. If there was any doubt before, this confirmed that Thompson competes at 100% effort—no matter the opponent.

Social media had a field day with the clips, with reactions ranging from sheer amusement to outright disbelief.

“Klay really treating these kids like Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals,” one user posted.

“Bro is dropping buckets and trash-talking children—absolute menace,” another joked.

Others questioned whether Thompson’s intensity was a bit too much for a friendly event.

“Imagine being 10 years old and getting torched by Klay Thompson, then clowned right after. Therapy bills gonna be crazy,” a fan quipped.

NBA Fans Are Torn: Funny or Over the Top?

Was this all just lighthearted fun, or did Thompson take things a step too far? NBA fans are split. Some see it as hilarious proof of his competitive spirit, while others think he might need to chill—just a little.

One thing is clear: Klay’s unfiltered energy is what makes him one of the most entertaining personalities in basketball. Unlike some athletes who tone it down at community events, Thompson brought the same fire he does to an NBA game. That’s what makes him Klay.

No Curry & Klay 3-Point Showdown?

Adding another twist to the weekend, reports surfaced that Thompson and Curry were originally supposed to compete in a two-on-two NBA-WNBA 3-point shootout against rising stars Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark during this year’s All-Star weekend. But the NBA unexpectedly canceled the event just days before it was set to take place.

Many fans were eager to see the Splash Brothers take on two of the best women’s shooters in the game. The league’s decision to scrap the event left plenty of people disappointed.

“Wait, we were gonna get Curry & Klay vs. Sabrina & Caitlin and now it’s canceled?! NBA fumbled,” one fan ranted online.

While we might not see that legendary matchup anytime soon, Thompson seems laser-focused on his own comeback to the 3-point contest stage.

The Klay Thompson Experience: Love It or Hate It, You Can’t Ignore It

Whether he’s drilling shots over kids or making waves with his All-Star Weekend ambitions, Klay Thompson remains one of the most entertaining players in the NBA. His move from the Warriors to the Mavericks might have changed his jersey, but it hasn’t changed his personality.

Love him or hate him, Klay is gonna Klay. And if you step on the court with him—whether you’re an NBA player or a 10-year-old—you better be ready for a few buckets and a little friendly trash talk.

One thing’s for sure: when Klay Thompson hits the 3-point contest next year, the basketball world will be watching. And if he wins? You know he’s gonna be talking trash about it for years to come.

What Do You Think?

Was Klay’s showdown with the kids hilarious or unnecessary? Should he really be taunting children, or is this just classic Klay being Klay? Let us know in the comments!