In a devastating blow for the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson’s costly mistake proved to be their downfall in a 130-125 defeat against the Los Angeles Clippers. The game, which took place on Valentine’s Day at Chase Center, left fans heartbroken. Thompson’s mental lapse occurred late in the game, when he disregarded the attempts of his teammate Steph Curry to console him. This occurred after Thompson made a regrettable foul with only 39 seconds left on the clock, with the Warriors trailing by a mere 3 points. The incident left many questioning Thompson’s decision-making and the impact it had on the team’s chances of victory.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was left stunned by the outcome of the game. Rookie Brandin Podziemski’s last-minute 3-pointer gave the Warriors a chance to tie the game and force overtime, leaving Kerr in disbelief. “We didn’t have to foul,” Kerr later admitted to reporters. “We should have defended and played it out, getting a rebound to make it a one-possession game.”
However, it was veteran Thompson who made a rare mistake, adding to his poor shooting performance. Thompson missed 10 of his 14 shots, only scoring 12 points and finishing with a minus-7 in 30 minutes on the court.
Despite the collapse in the fourth quarter, Curry took responsibility for the team’s downfall. He acknowledged his own turnover, which led to the opponent’s scoring play, and how it affected the team’s offense and defense. Curry admitted, “We gave up too many corner 3s and too many offensive rebounds. It was a quick momentum change that they took advantage of.”
Curry also addressed the ongoing trade rumors surrounding the team. He revealed that front offices often explore potential trades to improve their rosters, and it’s not surprising for him to hear about it. He mentioned that conversations like these happen regularly in the league, especially around the trade deadline. Curry even mentioned LeBron James as a potential trade target, acknowledging that he would be a significant upgrade for the team.
If a trade involving James were to happen, it would likely mean Thompson’s departure from the Warriors. He would either be included in the trade as a salary match or the Warriors might not be able to re-sign him in the upcoming summer due to salary constraints.
Despite discussions between the Lakers, Warriors owners, and James’ agent, no trade ideas were exchanged, and James remains a Laker. Thompson, for now, remains a Warrior.
(Alder Almo is a basketball writer who covers the latest news and updates in the sport.)
According to the Source heavy.com