Since coming back from two serious injuries, Klay Thompson is no longer a superstar. The Warriors would settle for him being a competent player.
Thompson committed a brain-dead foul late in Wednesday’s 130-125 loss to the L.A. Clippers. The team didn’t need to foul after getting within one score with 39 seconds left, but Thompson ignored his shocked coach and intentionally fouled Russell Westbrook. Westbrook hit both free throws and the Warriors went on to lose.
It’s one of many mental mistakes Thompson has made in clutch over the past two seasons. For another example, in December 2022, he inexplicably left Malik Beasley open for a three-pointer late in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
Thompson is simply not trustworthy at the end of games. Yet the Warriors are reluctant to turn their backs on a player who was part of four title teams and worked his way back from devastating injuries.
Thompson’s decline is clear, though. He is averaging 17 points per game, his lowest since his second season in the NBA. Thompson is shooting 36.8% from three-point range, a career low. His overall field goal percentage is 41.5%, also a career worst. The Warriors are giving up 119 points per 100 possessions with Thompson on the court and he now plays as a forward on the defensive end.
That element makes it tougher to find lineups for Thompson. The Warriors’ best forwards are Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga, now that Draymond Green is primarily operating as a center. Rookie Brandin Podziemski has been significantly better on offense than Thompson, too, and slightly better on defense.
Further complicating matters is Thompson’s impending free agency. Thompson needs to play to preserve his market value, but the Warriors are getting killed by his on-court play. Even without the foul Wednesday, Thompson shot 1-for-9 from distance, almost negating Steph Curry’s 9-for-19 performance from three-point range.
The Warriors owe a lot to Klay Thompson, who has started every game he has played since March 13, 2012. But the team owes it to itself to make the playoffs and that is going to require sitting Thompson in big moments.
