Kerr Finally Lost Patience of Klay Thompson and Benched him

Published December 13, 2023 at 7:10
BY JOSEPH

Thompson Reflects on Not Playing in Crucial Moments Against Phoenix

After the Warriors' narrow 119-116 defeat to the Suns, Klay Thompson candidly spoke about his disappointment in not being able to contribute during crucial moments of the match.

«I'm incredibly competitive and not being able to play when it matters most is frustrating," Thompson admitted, as reported by Shayna Rubin of the Mercury News.

Despite his frustration, Thompson acknowledged the rationale behind Coach Kerr's decision to bench him, attributing it to his current performance level.

«I understand why I was benched; my performance wasn't up to par. It's about finding my rhythm in these 20 games. However, our bench deserves credit for their excellent play» Thompson conceded.

Thompson's Limited Role and Kerr's Disappointment

In the game's final quarter, Thompson was on the court for only 5:41 minutes, contributing negatively and missing his only field goal attempt.

In contrast, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody played significantly more in the last period.Coach Kerr, in the postgame press conference, expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of some players, with Thompson likely included in that critique.

Ending the game with just seven points from 2-for-10 shooting in 27 minutes, Thompson's night was not up to his usual standards.

Warriors' Struggles Continue Despite Efforts

«I just felt like tonight I had to play the guys who were playing the best. I've been really patient and trying to get everybody organized into groups and give guys freedom and space, but tonight did not feel like a night to have a lot of patience. We needed some urgency, and that's why I made the moves,» Kerr said in a postgame interview.

«I'm sure he's disappointed," Kerr said about benching Klay. "It's not easy being in that situation, and same with Loon and Wiggs, but these are tough nights. This is the NBA. It's a really difficult league. It's a dream job for these guys, but it's also incredibly difficult. You get booed, benched, injured, traded, cut; it's not easy."

Even with Coach Kerr's strategic lineup changes and a valiant comeback effort, the Warriors couldn't secure a win. Compounding their troubles, Draymond Green was ejected for a foul on Suns' Jusuf Nurkic in the third quarter, raising the possibility of another suspension this season.

This defeat adds to the Warriors' woes, marking their sixth loss in the last ten games. Their record now stands at a disappointing 10-13, highlighting the team's urgent need for solutions.

With time ticking, the Warriors are at a critical juncture to turn their season around. The current trajectory suggests a need for significant changes to avoid letting the season slip further away.