Klay Thompson put his shooting struggles behind him to help the Golden State Warriors a win over the LA Clippers on Thursday (Nov. 30.) The veteran shooter exploded for 10 points in under two minutes to give the Warriors a double-digit lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to provide his team with a double-digit cushion heading into the final stretch.
Speaking to the media after the game, Steve Kerr noted how he expects to see Thompson play at a similar level moving forward. The veteran has been struggling for consistency in his jump shot all season but will likely hope his fourth-quarter heroics mark a turning point.
“That’s why he’s out there with that group, to give them a scorer,” Kerr said. “It felt like the game rewarded him for continuing to fight and not worrying about anything. He kept shooting, and the ball bounced his way. That’s the Klay that I expect for the rest of the year. I thought he was great against Sacramento the other night. As long as he’s patient and doesn’t beat himself up, just stays with it and brings the energy defensively. He’s a great player.”
Thompson is currently in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The Warriors will likely evaluate his performance level throughout the basketball year before extending him an offer.
Kerr expects to see this version of Klay "the rest of the year" 👀 pic.twitter.com/4UqrfY8LHK
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 1, 2023
Thompson has been through slumps before. He’s always bounced back and found ways to prove an elite impact. There’s no reason he can’t build from his solid showing against the Clippers and begin trending back toward an All-Star level on both sides of the floor. The Warriors need their star players healthy and in rhythm if they’re going to rebound from a tough November.
There will undoubtedly be some hope within the franchise following two solid performances against the Sacramento Kings and Clippers in recent days.
