Klay Thompson Benched by Steve Kerr, Warriors for Brandin Podziemski vs. Jazz

Julia StumbaughFebruary 16, 2024

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson came off the bench against the Utah Jazz Thursday night.

Brandin Podziemski took the place of Thompson, who was not listed on the team’s injury report.

This marks Thompson’s first time playing in a game he didn’t start since his rookie 2011-12 season. He has made 699 starts over 10 seasons with the Warriors since then.

Thompson said that coming off the bench helped him put up 17 points in the first half of Thursday night’s game, per ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.

Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrewsIn his walkoff interview with NBC, Thompson said coming off the bench tonight helped give him fresh legs on the second night of a back-to-back. He’s got 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 12 minutes. Also surpassed 15,000 career points.

Warriors put up 84 points in the first half.

Thompson headed into the game having recorded 17.0 points per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field through 49 starts, marking his lowest production rate since 2012-23 and his most inconsistent shooting since 2011-12.

His benching comes after a gaffe late in a 130-125 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night. With the Clippers leading, Thompson intentionally fouled Russell Westbrook with 39 seconds remaining in a close game.

“We didn’t want a foul,” head coach Steve Kerr said after the loss. “We’re down three with 38 seconds, so it’s an obvious defend and just play it out and get a rebound, and then it’s a one-possession game.”

Warriors on NBCS @NBCSWarriorsThese Warriors reactions to Klay’s late-game foul 😬 pic.twitter.com/3ehLxrrbwl

That performance looked particularly unflattering when compared to Podziemski, who recorded a career-high 25 points in the loss.

Podziemski started alongside Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green. He has made 13 starts for the Warriors during his rookie season. He is averaging 9.8 points per game while shooting 46.5 percent through 46 games.

Thompson, who turned 34 on Feb. 8, said earlier this month it was “hard” to see his playing time decrease in favor of newer additions like Podziemski.

“To go from one of the best players…It’s hard for anybody,” Thompson said after being benched down the stretch of a Feb. 5 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

“I’ve accepted it,” the veteran guard added. “You can be mad, but I’m not gonna be mad. I’m happy for these young guys, obviously.”

The Warriors had won five games straight before Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers as they looked to get back in the win column Thursday night.