On December 12, during the Warriors’ 119-116 loss to the Suns, Klay Thompson was benched in a symbolic move reflecting Steve Kerr’s acknowledgment of the changing dynamics. Thompson, no longer the player he once was, faced career-low shooting percentages, prompting speculation about his role.
Despite the benching, Thompson quickly rebounded in the next game, scoring 30 points and hitting eight of 12 3-pointers against the Clippers. This sparked a six-game stretch where he averaged 25 points, shooting 50% from beyond the arc.
However, inconsistency remained evident in the subsequent three games, with Thompson struggling and recording single-digit scores.
The Warriors made a bold move by removing Thompson from the starting lineup for the first time in his career. Contrary to skepticism, he responded with a remarkable 35-point performance in the final game before the All-Star break, securing a win against the Jazz.
However, doubts resurfaced when, in his second game coming off the bench after the All-Star break, Thompson managed only three points on 1-of-9 shooting.
The Warriors, currently on a positive streak with nine wins in their last 11 games, are a team reliant on timing. Positioned as a potential playoff contender, their success hinges on catching a hot streak at the right moment.
Klay Thompson’s performances, marked by highs and lows, contribute to the unpredictability, and the team hopes for timely peaks and avoids untimely slumps as they aim to make a postseason impact.
