Warriors’ Klay Thompson: Would Be ‘Hard for Anybody’ to Get Benched in 4th Quarter

zach bacharContributor IFebruary 6, 2024

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson acknowledged that it was “hard” for him to get benched down the stretch of the team’s 109-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

“To go from one of the best players…It’s hard for anybody,” Thompson told reporters after the game. “I’ll be honest with you.”

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslaterKlay Thompson said it’s hard to not close: “Yeah, you kidding me? To go from one of the best players…It’s hard for anybody.”

Klay credited the young guys.

Draymond from off camera (to reporters): “I didn’t close Game 5 of the Finals. Who the f*** cares?” pic.twitter.com/CzYNX4vulw

He finished with eight points in 30 minutes of action, connecting on four of his nine field goal attempts although his missed all three of his shots from behind the arc.

“I’ve accepted it,” he added. “You can be mad, but I’m not gonna be mad. I’m happy for these young guys, obviously. We won. It’s hard to get wins in this league.”

Thompson has started in all of his 45 appearances this season. Prior to Monday’s contest, he was averaging 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His shooting inconsistency has persisted throughout the year though, as he connected on a mere 41.5 percent of his field goal attempts and 37.4 percent of his threes.

The 33-year-old has also looked far less polished on the defensive end of the floor, routinely allowing opponents to beat him off the dribble. It’s one of the main reasons why his -2.9 net rating is the third-worst mark of any Warriors player averaging at least 15 minutes per game (via NBA.com).

He’s currently slated to hit unrestricted free agency in the summer, which led to some speculation regarding a potential trade if Golden State’s front office isn’t interested in re-signing him. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the Warriors have “no interest” in moving Thompson or Draymond Green prior to the Feb. 8 deadline.

The five-time All-Star was replaced in the closing lineup on Monday by 21-year-old forward Gui Santos, as head coach Steve Kerr likely wanted to utilize a lineup with more size after Nets center Nic Claxton was ejected from the game after he was assessed a flagrant 2 foul.

Santos performed admirably, recording nine points and five rebounds on 3-5 shooting in just 18 minutes of action.