Warriors’ Steve Kerr: Klay Thompson ‘At Peace’ with Bench Role Amid NBA Playoff Push

Erin WalshMarch 20, 2024

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Klay Thompson has finally settled into his bench role with the Golden State Warriors, according to head coach Steve Kerr.

Kerr said Tuesday during an appearance on 95.7 The Game’s Willard and Dibs, per Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area:

“Klay’s been great. The best part for me as his coach is just seeing him really comfortable and at peace with his role. I think he was fighting that a little bit early in the season. He wanted so desperately to be the same Klay from five years ago. And he just couldn’t get past the injuries and what the injuries did to him and his career. It was bothering him and he was trying too hard out there on the floor.”And I think over the All-Star Break, he really got his thoughts together and realized that maybe coming off the bench could be a good thing and he’s embraced it. And he has been fantastic. Not only his play, but his attitude, his approach, his leadership. Klay’s been great, and it’s been really fun to see.”Thompson, a four-time NBA champion with the Warriors, was moved into a Sixth Man role last month before the All-Star break. The veteran initially didn’t take the benching well, with Kerr telling ESPN (h/t NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin) that he yelled at the coaching staff before ultimately apologizing.

Thompson has thrived since moving to a bench role. In 11 games off the bench dating back to Feb. 15, he’s averaging 20.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor and 45.3 percent from deep.

Before that, he was averaging 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 49 games while shooting 41.5 percent from the floor and 36.8 percent from deep.

If the Warriors secure a playoff berth with Thompson playing off the bench, the move will have ultimately paid off for everyone involved.

Golden State enters Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies 10th in the Western Conference with a 35-32 record.