After a summer of scrutiny following his 0-for-10 shooting performance in the Warriors’ elimination game, Klay Thompson is flipping the script—this time in a Mavericks uniform. The veteran shooting guard played a key role in the Dallas Mavericks’ 120-106 road win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, helping his team advance in the Play-In Tournament.
Now, Thompson and the Mavericks prepare for a high-stakes showdown against the Memphis Grizzlies.
What Is Thompson’s Status in the Dallas vs. Memphis Matchup?
Luckily for Mavericks fans — a phrase that hasn’t been uttered often this season — Thompson is healthy and ready to go for Dallas’s upcoming win-or-go-home matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Against Sacramento, Thompson displayed more than just his shooting prowess. The former splash brother played with poise, dictating his own tempo and controlling his shots.
“Human nature, when you end a season on a sour note like that you want to come out and prove people wrong,” Thompson said. “But I thought I did a good job to start the game of trying to dish, rebound, play defense. The shots came to me after that.”
Thompson’s all around approach paid off — his 23 points fueled the Mavericks’ decisive win against the Kings. As good as it may have felt, it wasn’t just about redemption for Thompson, it was growth and evolution of his game. In the win, Thompson displayed a fundamental growth as a veteran hooper and brought a much-needed win to the city of Dallas.
Looking ahead to the Memphis matchup, there has been no doubt regarding Thompson’s availability. The shooting guard’s performance will once again be vital in the win-or-go-home play-in finale before the playoffs officially begin.
“We’ve had a tumultuous season to say the least,” Thompson said. “The injury bug has struck us like I’ve never seen before. But we’re still here playing postseason basketball. We can really give the city of Dallas some hope, especially if we go to Memphis and repeat this type of performance.”
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, suffered a major scare when superstar Ja Morant briefly went down during their nail-biting clash with the Golden State Warriors. Morant is expected to be a game-time decision—and could be the X-factor in determining the outcome of the matchup.
Thompson’s resurgence against the Kings offered a much-needed spark for Dallas as the city clings to its postseason hopes. His playoff experience and composure under pressure are invaluable for a Mavericks squad still trying to recover from a turbulent regular season.
