The Dallas Mavericks were considered a team to watch heading into the NBA season as they continue to deal with fan backlash after trading former franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic. There’s also plenty of intrigue around first overall pick Cooper Flagg and his rookie season.
However, the Mavs haven’t gotten off to a great start this season, and veteran shooting guard Klay Thompson’s poor start has been put under the microscope. His latest actions suggest that he’s frustrated as well.
How Did Klay Thompson React to Latest Setback
Social media account NBA Central put a spotlight on Thompson’s poor play on X, while also saying ” The Mavs are 2-5, the vibes are not great.” The account also shared footage of Thompson expressing some frustration after the Mavs’ recent loss to the Houston Rockets by slapping a water bottle off a table while heading to the locker room.
Klay Thompson this season:
8.1 PPG
31.8% FG
26.2% 3PTThe Mavs are 2-5
The vibes are…not great 😬
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 4, 2025
Thompson played 18 minutes in the Mavs’ 110-102 loss to the Rockets, the fewest of any player in the starting lineup. He’s averaging 8.1 points per game this season on 31.8% shooting from the field and 26.2% shooting from three. His recent drop in playing time is a sign that Mavs Head Coach Jason Kidd may be losing patience.
Thompson expressing public frustration is a sign that he knows he’s not meeting expectations. His current offensive rating of 88.9 would be the lowest of his career over a full season. However, the most disappointing aspect of Thompson’s play right now is his defensive decline.
At his peak with the Golden State Warriors, the four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star was one of the league’s premier wing defenders. However, everything changed when Thompson tore his left ACL in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals. Thompson said one of his biggest goals while rehabbing was to return to the court as the same elite defender. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.
Thompson’s clear defensive struggles after returning from injury became a source of tension within the Warriors’ organization and is considered one of multiple reasons he’s no longer with the team. After posting a defensive rating of 115.2 in his first season with the Mavs, Thompson’s current 113.1 defensive rating would be the third highest of his career over a full season.
Thompson’s overall plus/minus rating of -10.6 shows that he’s been a clear liability this season. He still has one year left on his contract after this season, but some tough conversations may be on the horizon if he can’t break out of his shooting slump. In the short term, Thompson’s struggles open the door for young guards Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy to earn more opportunities.
Thompson may hope that his outburst is a sign that better days are ahead.