Klay Thompson has been facing challenges recently with the Golden State Warriors for various reasons. In a recent game against the Brooklyn Nets, Thompson was benched in the closing minutes, which only added to his already difficult situation. He expressed his disappointment to the press during the exchange. However, his reaction was different when the Warriors played against the Phoenix Suns.
On December 12, 2023, the Golden State Warriors faced the Phoenix Suns and suffered a 116-119 loss. A video of Thompson kicking a chair and repeatedly yelling, “God damn,” during the Suns game went viral online. Despite attempts to calm him down, he continued to show frustration by making gestures towards a member of the coaching staff.
Before the Warriors lost this game, Thompson was ejected for a flagrant foul on the Suns’ player. This incident added to the confusion surrounding Thompson’s reaction, considering the unpredictable nature of the game.
Upon closer examination of the December game between the Warriors and the Suns, it was clear that Thompson’s performance was below average. Despite starting the game, he did not play in the final quarter.
Thompson was once again benched in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 109-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, February 5. Despite battling and finishing the game early with eight points, Thompson made it clear through his remarks that he was extremely frustrated.
When asked about how he felt after being benched, Thompson expressed his frustration during a press conference. He mentioned that this wasn’t the first time he missed the opportunity to close a game. He referred to a previous game in Memphis where he was benched in favor of Podziemski.
Thompson acknowledged that it’s difficult not to be able to close a game, especially for someone who is considered one of the best players. He credited the young players for their performance, while Draymond, off-camera, expressed his indifference towards the situation.
Now, halfway through the year, the Warriors find themselves with a 22-25 record and eliminated from the play-in event. This has been particularly challenging for Thompson, as his shots have been falling short and the wear and stress on his surgically restored legs are taking a toll on him.