Dallas Mavericks wing Klay Thompson will likely be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame one day, with his No. 11 jersey hanging from the rafters of the Chase Center. However, the Golden State Warriors legend is off to a horrific start to the new season, continuing a trend from his debut season in Dallas.
In Monday’s 110-102 loss to the Houston Rockets, Thompson shot 2-of-9 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from three, and was thus benched for most of the fourth quarter.
The 35-year-old is averaging a career-low 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while shooting 32.8% from the field and 27.5% from three. Thompson, who ranks fifth all-time in three-pointers made, can’t buy a bucket from long distance this season — converting on a career-low 1.6 threes per game from 5.7 attempts.
Klay Thompson Slump Continues
Thompson’s season thus far is best described by the following metrics (H/T Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe):
– 20.2 minutes per game (career low)
– Fifth-worst shooting percentage (32.8%) league-wide (min. 60 attempts)
– Sixth-worst plus-minus (-70) league-wide
The Washington State alum is a historically slow starter, dating back to his prime years in Golden State. However, the alarming aspect is that his shooting struggles extend to last season and his final year with the Warriors in 2023-24. It’s hard to forget that Thompson ended his iconic Warriors career shooting 0-of-10 from the field against the Sacramento Kings in an NBA play-in game.
Amid his recent struggles, several Mavericks fans on X called Thompson “washed” while others urged him to “retire” to avoid further embarrassment.
“He needs to retire,” wrote a fan on X. “He hasn’t been the same since the season after they won the chip, and didn’t even play well in the 2022 Finals.”
Klay Thompson Still Believes
MFFL Nation, a popular Mavericks fan account on X, did not mince words after Thompson’s forgettable game on Monday.
“I’m fed up with this Klay Thompson shooting slump…”
Amid the criticism about his personal struggles, Thompson has high hopes for a Dallas Mavericks team that boasts of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, prized rookie Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively and a host of talented role players.
During his Media Day interview, Thompson said the Mavericks had the tools to win the 2026 NBA title once Irving returns from his ACL injury.
“We have different personnel than we did last season,” Thompson said, via The Athletic. “We have to play to our strengths. That is cutting off the ball. Playing through our big men. We understand it can be a different player’s night every night out there. We don’t know who is going to lead the team in scoring. It’s obviously Kyrie and A.D. But until those guys are in the lineup on a consistent basis, it’s going to be someone else’s turn every night.”
“There’s no reason we can’t be the highest rated defensive team in the NBA. In my experience, what helps to win is having a roster full of two-way players. We have that.”
Thompson is signed through the 2026-27 season with the Mavericks. He turns 36 in February.
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