Every time an NBA star is benched, it’s massive information.
When it’s four-time champion and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson, it’s even larger.
Thompson, who’s adjusting properly to his new sixth-man function, initially didn’t like being despatched to the bench.
He yelled at Warriors coach Steve Kerr and some assistant coaches when he was advised of the transfer, in response to ESPN.
Kerr mentioned Thompson later apologized and that he understands the sharpshooter’s frustration.
“It was not a simple dialog,” Kerr advised ESPN. “That is possibly the toughest half about getting additional away from our prime. It’s simply after 12 years it wasn’t simple. And nonetheless shifting ahead, it’s not going to be simple. However I advised him, ‘In the event you actually embrace it, you’ll be able to assist your crew win.’”
Thompson’s benching got here as his manufacturing dipped and the crew was sitting at 26-26.
In a loss to the Clippers on Valentine’s Day, Thompson deliberately fouled Russell Westbrook whereas the Warriors had been down three factors with 38 seconds left, an apparent defend however don’t foul state of affairs.
The following sport, Thompson got here off the bench for the primary time for the reason that 2012 season.
In that Feb. 15 sport, Thompson completed with 35 factors on 13-of-22 and was 7-of-13 from 3-point vary to knock off the Jazz, 140-137, on the street.
Thompson shared some perception about his new function after the win.
“You are able to do two issues,” Thompson mentioned. “You possibly can pout or you’ll be able to go on the market and reply.”
![Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson shooting basketball with defense from New York Knicks guard Miles McBride.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/golden-state-warriors-guard-klay-77445378.jpg?w=1024)
For the reason that function change, the Warriors have gained 5 of their previous six video games with the one loss coming in opposition to the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
Within the Warriors’ 110-99 win over the Knicks on Thursday night time, Thompson completed with 16 factors and 5 rebounds. He shot 6-for-16 and 4-for-10 from past the arc.
Within the six video games for the reason that transfer to the bench, Thompson is averaging slightly greater than 19.2 factors per sport.
The Warriors might search for extra manufacturing from Thompson with Andrew Wiggins taking a go away of absence from the crew as a consequence of a non-public matter.
The Warriors’ newest surge nonetheless finds them in tenth place within the Western Convention, the ultimate spot within the for the play-in spherical.
They’re a half-game behind the Lakers, two video games behind the Kings and two-and-a-half video games behind the Mavericks.
Golden State will look to make it 5 out of six Friday night time when its travels north of the border to play the Raptors.