Klay Thompson responds to being benched by Mavs
Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time since joining the team during Wednesday night’s 101–99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The veteran guard remained upbeat, showing confidence in the team’s direction and the move itself.
“I don’t mind,” he told The Dallas Morning News. “I know it is.”
Head coach Jason Kidd noted that the adjustment brought positive energy to the game.
“I thought him coming off the bench gave us a spark,” Kidd said.
Thompson, who turns 36 in February, is currently averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and shooting 29.2% from three-point range this season. Kidd shared that he had discussed the change with Thompson earlier in the day.
“This isn’t a permanent thing, but can you come off the bench?” Kidd recalled asking. “And he was good with it.”
With D’Angelo Russell starting at point guard and rookie Cooper Flagg moving to small forward, Thompson accepted his new reserve role without hesitation. Over his 873-game NBA career, he has started 821 of those games.
Author’s summary:
Klay Thompson accepted a bench role for the Mavericks with professionalism, emphasizing teamwork and optimism as he adapts to new rotations under coach Jason Kidd.