Klay Thompson played his second preseason game for the Mavericks, leaving fans disappointed
Klay Thompson had a rough outing, wrapping up the game with no points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block, while missing all nine of his shots, including six from beyond the arc, in 21 minutes of play.
The Mavericks were defeated 110-96, dropping to 0-3 in the preseason. But the biggest story of the night was Thompson’s challenging performance.
Klay Thompson managed only three rebounds, one assist, and one block in his limited time on the court.
His cold streak underscored how much of his value depends on a few specific aspects of his game. Dallas brought him in for his ability to stretch the floor, something he can still do—even on an off night—thanks to his well-established track record.
For fantasy managers, Thompson should probably be considered a late-round pick, and he might even become expendable at points throughout the season.
This marked Klay Thompson‘s second preseason appearance for the Mavericks, and it was a night to forget. The four-time champion struggled with his shot, going 0-9, while the Clippers’ perimeter defenders kept him off-balance, preventing him from finding his rhythm.
As a projected starter for the Mavs this season, these kinds of games raise some concerns. In his preseason debut against the Utah Jazz, Thompson managed 10 points and shot 3-5 from three.
Last season, Thompson shot 38.7% from deep, so even maintaining that level of accuracy would be valuable, but tonight didn’t reflect that potential.
Meanwhile, Quentin Grimes (20 points, 7-11 FG) and Naji Marshall (6 points, 2-9 FG) delivered more encouraging performances, which means Thompson may face competition for his starting role.
Grimes, in particular, stands out as a more athletic and aggressive defender compared to Klay, so if Thompson’s offense can’t compensate for his defensive limitations, his spot could be at risk. The game against the Clippers demonstrated the gap between their readiness.
Another factor affecting Thompson’s performance is the absence of Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined this preseason due to a calf injury.
Luka’s presence significantly alters the team’s spacing, and with Kyrie Irving also out for this game, it’s possible that Thompson’s role will shift once both stars return to the lineup.
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