SACRAMENTO – The last time Klay Thompson played a play-in game in Golden 1 Center, he was a member of the Golden State Warriors. That was a year ago to the date. And it was a game Thompson would rather forget.

But as the calendar turned 365 days later, Thompson put that dreadful night in his rear view mirror and quickly turned into one of the shining stars on Wednesday night as the Dallas Mavericks ended Sacramento’s season with a 120-106 triumph over the Kings in a Western Conference play-in game.

In the play-in game last season for the Warriors, Thompson was a dismal 0-of-10 from the field, including 0-for-6 from three-point range in what turned out to be a scoreless night for one of the greatest shooters in the history of the NBA. But on Wednesday, Thompson tallied 23 points and was an impressive 8-of-11 from the field, including 5-of-7 from downtown.

It was a complete 180 by Thompson, to say the least.

“I didn’t try to give (last year’s play-in game at Golden 1 Center) too much thought because I thought even last year I had a great season,” Thompson said. “I played 77 games and averaged dang near 18 points a game and I wasn’t going to define myself off one bad shooting night.

“I’ve had some of the greatest shooting nights in the history of the game. So, even someone of my caliber can go 0-fer. I’ve done it in college, high school and the pros. It’s just a lot more magnified when it’s on this stage. I try not even thinking about that, but at times you do, because you’re human. But you just keep going out there and doing what you love.”

And the Mavs were absolutely loving the damage Thompson was doing to the Kings. When it was still very much a game, Thompson caught fire and tossed in four three-pointers during a three-minute span to give Dallas a 53-39 lead with 5:24 left in the second quarter.

Thompson added more free throws and a regular basket to give him 16 points in the second quarter as the Mavs took complete control of this game and led, 71-48, at halftime.

The first triple by Thompson hit the rim and bounced high in the air before settling through the nets. That’s when he found his shooting stroke, and the basket began looking like an ocean.

“It felt really good, because I thought I missed it,” Thompson said. “But it bounced so high in the air that it went in. That kind of lifted the lid off the rim.

“I thought I did a good job of not forcing it. You have a season (end) like that (last year) you want to come out here and prove people wrong. But I thought I did a good job starting the game of trying to dish, rebound and play defense, and the shots came to me after that.”

And how did the shots keep coming to Thompson? He pointed to center Dereck Lively II with getting him all cranked up.

“I would say getting great looks in rhythm, especially that chemistry I have with D-Live,” Thompson said. “I missed him dearly a lot this year because he’s so good at flashing the ball and getting me open looks.

“That’s what got me going – just being able to play off his size and get a good open look off the screens.”

Coach Jason Kidd certainly took notice of Thompson’s exploits.

“He got going,” Kidd said. “Being able to set screens with (Anthony Davis) and (Daniel) Gafford, and also I thought the relationship between Klay and D-Live is at a high.

“I thought him being able to go in that second quarter with AD setting screens and our guards being able to find him, he had great rhythm looks and he helped build that lead. I said before the game we believed he was going to make the shots tonight and he did.”

Thompson had earlier given himself a B grade for what he’s accomplished this season. But before Wednesday’s game, Kidd gave him an A grade.

“I appreciate Mr. Kidd,” Thompson said. “I appreciate him not running me into the ground this season. He played me like 27-28 minutes a night and it’s just been a real pleasure to be playing under him. He’s such an amazing basketball mind.”

And now, Thompson and his teammates are looking forward to playing on the road again – this time in Memphis against the Grizzlies on Friday at 8:30 p.m. with a berth in the playoffs and a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder on the line.

“This one felt good, man, I can’t lie to you,” Thompson said. “We’ve had a long season.

“I know it’s not the NBA Finals or conference finals. But shoot, we’re still alive and a lot of teams aren’t, so there’s still hope.”

Especially with Thompson shooting the basketball the way he shot it on Wednesday.

X: @DwainPrice