Klay Thompson found a measure of personal redemption during the Dallas Mavericks’ play-in victory over the Sacramento Kings, a game that carried special significance for the veteran sharpshooter.
Thompson scored 23 points in the win, knocking down five three-pointers and playing a key role in helping Dallas advance.
But for the player, the performance meant more than just a stat line – it was a symbolic bounce-back from a painful moment in his career.
Last season, while still with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson endured a dismal showing against the same Kings in the play-in tournament. He went 0-for-10 from the field in what would become his final game in a Warriors uniform.
Reflecting on that moment, the veteran sharpshooter acknowledged the mental challenge of moving past such a low point but emphasized the importance of perspective.
“I wasn’t going to define myself off one bad shooting night,” Thompson said, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
“I mean, I’ve had some of the greatest shooting nights in the history of the game. So even someone in my caliber can go 0-for. … I try to not even think about that, but at times you do because you’re human. But you just keep going out there and do what you love.”
Now wearing a Mavericks jersey and chasing another postseason run, Thompson is focused on the opportunity ahead as Dallas prepares to face the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed on Friday.
“I’m still alive. I’m excited,” he added. “I get to go to Memphis. It was really fun (Wednesday) because you could just be fully immersed in the experience, and we’ve had a tumultuous season, to say the least. The injury bug has struck us like I’ve never seen before, but we’re still here playing postseason basketball.”
Southwest Notes: Thompson, Harrison, Dumars, Udoka https://t.co/ufuIjS4OtM pic.twitter.com/aooj6Vff08
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 17, 2025
