Klay Thompson declined to second-guess his decision to join the Dallas Mavericks after the team’s early exit from the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament.
Following a 120-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Thompson was asked whether he would have chosen differently in free agency knowing how the season would unfold.
“Don’t do this to me. Don’t do that to me. Don’t do that,” Thompson said, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “That’s kind of a ridiculous question. I don’t own a time machine, and I don’t believe in going back, looking back.”
Thompson joined Dallas last summer in a six-team sign-and-trade after 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
He added, “If I did that my whole career, I would not be where I’m at and I wouldn’t have been able to persevere through two really hard injuries. So I’m here in Dallas, and I enjoyed my time and I’m looking forward to the future.”
The Mavericks fell short of expectations in Thompson’s first year with the franchise, finishing 39-43 and securing the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
Dallas defeated the Sacramento Kings to earn a shot at the eighth seed but came up short against Memphis, who clinched a playoff berth and will face Oklahoma City in the first round.
Ja Morant, playing through a sprained ankle, scored 22 points and dished out nine assists to lead the Grizzlies past Dallas.
Anthony Davis led all scorers with 40 points and nine rebounds but exited late in the game with an apparent right calf injury and did not return.
Thompson contributed 18 points in the loss, ending his postseason debut with Dallas on a sour note.
The Mavericks struggled down the stretch, going 7-15 since March 1 and playing the final weeks without Kyrie Irving, who underwent left knee surgery.
Dallas made headlines earlier this season when they traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Davis, part of a roster overhaul that has yet to pay off.
Thompson, a four-time NBA champion, averaged 14.0 points per game during the regular season while shooting 39.1% from three-point range.
Dallas will enter the offseason with significant questions, including Davis’ health and the future of its backcourt, as Thompson enters Year 2 of his deal.
Thompson did not indicate any desire to leave, instead reiterating his commitment to the Mavericks’ future.
