Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson was left out of the squad again for the second time in three games in Monday’s 109-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The NBA star has admitted that it is hard watching his teammates play when he could join them.
“Yeah,” Thompson said when asked if his changing role has been an adjustment. “You kidding me? Go from, you know, one of the best players … it’s hard for anybody.
“I’ll be honest with you. It’s very hard.”
The Warriors coach has opted to play Gui Santos — a rookie who had played a total of 61 minutes across eight NBA games before Monday night.
On Monday, Kerr went with Santos alongside youngsters Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, as well as mainstays Stephen Curry — who led Golden State with 29 points in the win at Barclays Center.
Speaking about his decision, Kerr admitted that he was hard for Thompson.
“He’s fine,” Kerr said. “This is a season where he’s had a lot of ups and downs. It’s not easy for a guy who’s been so good and a Hall of Fame player to deal with the injuries and … it’s never easy for any player, getting older. [But] he’s mentally tough.”
Thompson, who turns 34 on Thursday, tore his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals and then tore his Achilles a year later, costing him the entire 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
He returned to average 20.4 points in helping Golden State win the 2022 NBA title and then averaged 21.9 points and shot 41% from 3-point range last season. And his numbers have dipped this season.
“I feel great physically,” Thompson said at his locker after the game. “Mentally, probably a little different story. But such is life, huh?”
