Klay Thompson Responds to Bench Role Against Pelicans
Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time since joining the team on Wednesday night, as Dallas narrowly lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 101–99.
The veteran guard, who turns 36 in February, said he has no issue with coach Jason Kidd’s decision and remains optimistic about the future.
“I don’t mind,” Thompson told The Dallas Morning News. “I know it is.”
Kidd said the adjustment aimed to bring new energy to the rotation.
“I thought him coming off the bench gave us a spark,” Jason Kidd said.
The coach noted that he spoke with Thompson earlier that day to explain the reasoning. With D'Angelo Russell starting at point guard and rookie Cooper Flagg moving to small forward, Thompson was asked to take on a reserve role.
“This isn’t a permanent thing, but can you come off the bench?” Kidd recalled asking. “And he was good with it.”
Over his 873-game NBA career, Thompson has started 821 times. This season, he’s averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and shooting 29.2% from beyond the arc.
Author’s Summary
Klay Thompson accepted his first bench role with the Mavericks calmly, viewing it as a temporary change to support team chemistry and maintain competitive spark.