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 benched for most of the fourth quarter. The 35-year-old is currently 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 seem to 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 known as a historically slow starter, dating back to his prime years in Golden State. However, the alarming aspect is that his shooting struggles extend back 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 have called Thompson “washed,” while others have urged him to “retire” to avoid further embarrassment. One fan wrote, “He needs to retire. 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
Despite the criticism and poor performances, Thompson remains confident and focused on turning his game around. As one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, many expect that he has the talent and work ethic to overcome this difficult stretch and regain his form. Mavericks fans and basketball enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see if Thompson can silence the doubters in the weeks and months to come.
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