Tonight was a big change for Klay Thompson. The veteran sharpshooter has struggled to start the season, and after a prolonged shooting slump, was benched for tonight’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Dallas Mavericks have started the season lifelessly on both ends, and for a player whose game is built on rhythm and confidence, there’s nothing colder than watching his team struggle from the sideline

During the game, as Thompson checked in midway through the first quarter, one fleeting sideline moment caught attention. Klay, on his way to the scorer’s table, saw a fan seated courtside wearing a Mavericks Luka Doncic jersey. He smiled, and told the fan, “I miss that guy,” pointing to the jersey.

One fan caught the interaction, and posted it on X. While it might be a throwaway comment, the sentiment hits for many Dallas fans, especially with the public outcry that occurred in Dallas after the trade was made public. However, Klay might not have been talking about just Doncic.

For Klay Thompson, coming off an 11-year tenure in Golden State, this stint in Dallas was supposed to be about revival. After a quiet and painful end to his Warriors tenure, filled with dwindling minutes and trade chatter, his arrival in Dallas had helped him prove that he was still a capable contributor, averaging 14.9 points per game on over 40% beyond the arc in the 21 games he played with Doncic.

Even after the trade, he maintained his effectiveness, dropping slightly to 14 points and 39.1% at the end of the year, production that warranted a starting spot.

However, through the first eight games of the season, things could not have been worse. Dallas sits at a 2-6 record, the worst in the Western Conference. Thompson himself has struggled mightily, shooting below 35% from the field this year and under 30% from three.

The team has the worst offensive rating in the league, and with inexperienced point guard Cooper Flagg, the team has struggled with creating opportunities.

So maybe that one line was just Klay being Klay, masking frustration with dry humor, or perhaps a flash of recognition: the kind of basketball that once used to feel easy just isn’t there anymore.

New Orleans Pelicans Show Grit as Dallas Mavericks Search for Answers

The Dallas Mavericks’ early-season struggles worsened tonight as they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, marking their third consecutive defeat. Even with new experiments and a reshuffled rotation, Dallas looked disjointed.

The offense continued to sputter with both Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively sidelined, forcing Jason Kidd to run an odd starting lineup with Max Christie and D’Angelo Russell.

Tonight’s game also marked the first time Klay Thompson came off the bench since March 2024, his last season with the Warriors. The All-Star was quiet in his play tonight, but bounced back hard with 11 points with 3 threes in just 21 minutes.

For the veteran, used to big moments, shifting to a reserve role marks yet another test in a Dallas tenure that hasn’t quite looked right. Despite this, His shooting was crisp, and rhythm steady, something he hopes to replicate going forward.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans showcased what adapting to the chaos looks like. Despite missing superstar Zion Williamson and offensive creator Jordan Poole, they jumped out early behind 22 points and 9 rebounds from Saddiq Bey.

Trey Murphy sealed the game with a key rebound in the final seconds off a potential Flagg game-winner, showcasing remarkable tenacity. This game also marked their seventh different starting lineup in the eight games played, as they adjusted to injury and adversity, leaving the Mavericks looking dazed.