Klay Thompson drained 12 threes to achieve an NBA first in the Golden State Warriors' win over the Houston Rockets, showing he is "still so hungry to be great".

It was the second time in Thompson's past six games he had made 12 threes, something no player had previously done multiple times in the same season.

Indeed, Thompson missed his only two two-point attempts, making his 42 points the most ever scored by a player without making a two-point attempt.

The Warriors guard, taking responsibility while Stephen Curry is out injured, was aware of that statistic as he met the media after a 116-101 victory.

"I did something that no one else has ever done before," Thompson said.

"I looked at Steph immediately when I did it, because that man's got all the records, so it's fun to push the game forward with him.

"I'm still so hungry to be great. I'll never be satisfied."

Thompson is averaging career highs in three-point shots attempted (4.4) and made (10.7), while only Buddy Hield (234) has made more than his 210 for the season.

This is in Thompson's first full season back after missing more than two years through injury.

Coach Steve Kerr suggested Thompson "can't just expect to be the same player that you were five years ago", but the 33-year-old is just enjoying himself.

"It's incredibly gratifying," he said. "I always reflect on the year I was not playing. I think about the time I was sidelined, watching.

"Now, it's easy to put everything in perspective and appreciate being able to move my body and play with great pace and flow and not even hesitate or think about anything."