Klay Thompson exercised the demon to help the Dallas Mavericks past the Sacramento Kings.
Throughout his illustrious career, Klay Thompson was responsible for some of the best three-point fires ever seen. And his prolific scores saw him posting numbers in a quarter, and even Wilt Chamberlain could not manage.
The worst shooting night of his career took place in last season’s play-in tournament for the Golden State Warriors against the Sacramento Kings. Thompson’s nightmare performance ended the era by firing 0-10 on his way to the team’s exit.
Thompson had the opportunity to redeem and took advantage of it. He shot 8-11, including 3 to 5-7, on his way to reach 23 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 120-106 victory.
Klay Thompson admitted that last season’s 0-10 game played in his mind, claiming that it wasn’t impossible.
After the match, he admitted, “I tried not to think about it, but you’re human.”
The change in the landscape has benefited Thompson with a fresh start with the Dallas Mavericks, leaving the Warriors behind.
And it’s not just the new environment he works for Thompson, but the way he actually leaves the most content behind is how he is used.
He mentioned measured play times and thanked the way Jason Kidd has limited his minutes.
After the match, he said:
“It was a real joy to play under him. He’s a really great basketball heart.”
The minutes are truly spectacular. Thompson’s 27.3 minutes per game is his lowest total since 24.4 per game in his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors in 2011-12.
Last season, Steve Kerr played Thompson in 29.7 minutes per game, with 33 minutes per game between 2022-23.
Even in his injury 2021-22 season, where he only played 32 games, Thompson averaged 29.4 minutes per game.
Thompson completely missed out on the 2019-20 season and 2020-21.
Klay Thompson was clearly annoyed at the way the season was over with the Warriors last season. This year was tough with the Dallas Mavericks.
2024-25 wasn’t easy until Kyrie Irving, who is struggling with a torn ACL after talking about going to the Mavericks with Klay Thompson as Luca Donsic is being traded.
Thompson added: “I can’t lie to you. We’ve had a long season. It’s not the NBA Finals or the conference finals, but filming, we’re still alive and many teams still have no hope.”
The Mavericks are next facing the Memphis Grizzlies.