Klay Thompson stats tonight: How did the Mavericks superstar fare against the LA Clippers? (Dec. 19)
Klay Thompson finished 22 points as the Dallas Mavericks succumbed to the LA Clippers 118-95 at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thursday.
The Mavericks had to rely heavily on the four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star as Dallas played shorthanded without its other two superstars. Thompson responded to the challenge as the 35-year-old led the Mavs in scoring for the first time this season.
This is also the first game this season that Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas' top two scorers, have been both ruled out. The Mavericks missed a combined 52.8 points. With that, they suffered their most lopsided loss of the season and scored a season-low as a team.
Doncic said he suffered a left heel contusion in Dallas' win against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. For Irving, this is the third game that he missed this season. He was not available due to the soreness in his right shoulder.
The Mavericks are now 5-2 without Doncic and 1-2 without Irving.
Here are Klay Thompson's stats against the LA Clippers:
Klay Thompson's stats against the LA Clippers:
Klay Thompson on second homecoming
On Sunday, Klay Thompson visited Chase Center for the second time as a Maverick. He finished with a season-high 29 points to help Dallas beat Golden State 143-133.
After the win, Thompson was asked how he felt during his second homecoming in San Francisco:
“Felt great. I’ve had a great history of shooting the ball well here, so I try to tap into that every time I come back. Man I want 30 [points]. 30 sounds so much better. But that’s life. We’ll take the win,” Thompson said.
Thompson is also optimistic about the Mavs after the win:
“It feels so good. But, we want to keep this thing going. Let’s get another win streak going.”
After Thursday's game, the Mavericks still hold the fourth spot in the Western Conference with a record of 17-10. It was only the second Dallas loss in its last 10 games. The Mavericks and Clippers battle again on Saturday.