The Dallas Mavericks’ 117-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers got them to a 21-16 standing on the season. But it couldn’t hide Klay Thompson’s struggles on the court. Despite securing a victory, the night was overshadowed by Thompson’s underwhelming showing.
It was clearly noticeable that Thompson was struggling on the court. He logged just 21 minutes on the court and contributed a mere three points, four assists, and three rebounds on 1-6 shooting. And a 0-4 from beyond the arc added to the misery. All of this prompted a post-game inquiry from reporters regarding Thompson’s status. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd attempted to address the situation and acknowledged that Thompson was fine but that the team needed to work collectively.
“Yeah he’s fine, just understanding we’re a team. His teammates picked him up tonight and he’ll be ready to go on Sunday. It’s big, it just shows the character of the team. It shows the depth of the team. This group is going to have some time together and get a rhythm, put their best foot forward. Their energy and effort are high… We found a way to win tonight,” Kidd said during the presser.
I asked Jason Kidd about Klay Thompson’s quiet night and lack of minutes.
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) January 10, 2025
“He’s fine… Just understanding we’re a team. His teammates picked him up tonight. “#MFFL https://t.co/8ppIyAUvxY pic.twitter.com/Xi6WBlA7Fn
With both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving sidelined, expectations fell heavily on Thompson’s shoulders. However, due to his struggles, Kidd made the strategic decision to limit Thompson’s minutes rather than allowing him to attempt to shoot his way out of a slump.
Klay Thompson Needs Help From The Camp
Klay Thompson is stepping into a big leadership role for the Dallas Mavericks right now. There’s an extra workload for him, especially with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both injured. The team has really struggled when both stars are out. They haven’t won any of their last eight games without them, and most of those losses have been by a lot. This is where Thompson’s experience comes in handy, but he can’t do it all by himself.
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The Mavs need more players to step up and help carry the load during this tough time. One player who could really make a difference is PJ Washington. He’s shown that he can play well on both ends of the court, and with the chance to take on a bigger role, he could really help Thompson out.
The Mavs have a 75% winning percentage when PJ Washington has a 20/10 game pic.twitter.com/dO3lhlVcIB
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) January 10, 2025
So far this season, Washington has been averaging about 13.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, which shows he has the talent to contribute more. The big question is whether he can consistently put up solid numbers and help lighten the burden for Thompson. If Washington can find a groove, it would go a long way in keeping the Mavericks competitive while they’re short-handed.
The Mavericks really need everyone to pitch in right now as tough matchups coming up against teams like the Lakers and Nuggets. They do have some depth on the roster, but it needs to translate into winning games.
