Klay Thompson insists that nothing has changed with his approach. But the statistics have changed.

Thompson hit rock bottom not long ago, when he was benched for the first time in his career during the final minutes of a defeat to Phoenix on Dec. 12. He tossed towels, kicked chairs, and yelled at everybody who could hear him. Something lit in his troubled mind, despite how awful it appeared.

Thompson has averaged 25.7 points per game since the Warriors’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 14, hitting 50% from three on 11 attempts. Golden State is a plus-17 when Thompson is on the court in the Warriors’ five-game winning streak. He scored 28 points, including 11 in a two-minute span, in the Warriors’ 126-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.

And now, the Warriors (15-14), who are above.500 for the first time in six weeks, are riding a five-game winning run into a Christmas Day matchup against the Denver Nuggets (21-10).

Thompson’s effectiveness is attributed to his decision-making, which includes better shot selection and making the extra pass, according to coach Steve Kerr. Thompson believes his shot selection has not changed due to self-preservation of his deadly instinct.

“I feel like every time I shoot the ball it’s a good shot,” Thompson told ESPN. “They seem to be going in at a higher frequency over the last five or six games, but after all these years — I feel like I can make every shot.” Not every shot, but any shot.”

Whether he realizes it or not, something has changed in his game since that day in Phoenix. He’s shifted away from taking opponents off the dribble for a contested shot when teams send another man to guard him or apply more pressure. He senses the pressure and instinctively searches for the open player, frequently on an entry pass to the open guy.

His patience has shifted for no reason. Neither is his recent scoring streak. Thompson has scored at least 20 points in five of his first 22 games, and has already scored 30, 24, 28, 24, 20, and 28 in his previous six.

“It’s competitive spirit and healthy ego of understanding who you are as a player and responding when things don’t go your way,” Curry said in an interview. “That’s what we’ve done our entire careers, and as he’s shown on occasion, you have to make certain adjustments, and he’s done that.” Allow the game to come to him and make the simple play. We know he can shoot, and that will never change.”

The Warriors’ problems, which included a six-game losing run and a four-game losing skid, were characterized by a lack of a backup scorer. A 20-point game from anyone other than Curry was unusual, and Kerr faced mounting pressure to let go of failing veterans like Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney. Thompson’s benching in crunch time was the moment their unshakeable faith in their tried-and-true methods officially crumbled.

The extended suspension of Draymond Green had a role in the nine-man, all-inclusive rotation that has taken fire, melding the roster’s youthful athleticism with seasoned reliance. Not being confined in a half-court offense has allowed other scorers to break free at a faster pace and transition. Thompson is among them.

But if that pressure comes, Thompson will delegate it to Dario Saric, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandy Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Looney, and others to take advantage of the wide space. Everyone is now joining in on the scoring fun.

“He’s playing well because he’s playing the right way,” stated Podziemski. “He’s had that mindset since the LA game of, two people come to me, I know someone is open.” From there, I’ll let my teammates play four-on-three. Since he’s done that, it’s been simpler for me and JK to make shots since he attracts so much attention and we’re often wide open. Steph and his proper play frees up space for the rest of the guys out there.”