BREAKING NEWS: Warriors Hips Praise On Two Star After Impressive Display
Klay Thompson’s second game coming off the bench didn’t match the success of his first. The experienced Golden State Warriors player only managed to score three points against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Despite scoring a season-high of 35 points before the All-Star break, Thompson struggled, making only one out of nine shots in his team’s 128-110 win. While his shooting was off, Thompson still made contributions to the game, showcasing his value beyond scoring despite his low output in points.
The Golden State Warriors continue to unlock a dynamic, game-changing bench duo they should lean into more over the second half of the season
Thompson showcased strong defensive plays, including a steal from Anthony Davis in the first half, and grabbed four rebounds. However, it was his adept passing that stood out during the game. His five assists were particularly notable, primarily facilitated by the presence of Trayce Jackson-Davis, who received increased playing time off the bench.
During a crucial five-minute period in the second quarter, Thompson orchestrated four of his five assists to Jackson-Davis, who capitalized with 13 points on impressive shooting efficiency. Thompson utilized his scoring threat effectively, repeatedly finding Jackson-Davis for scoring opportunities near the basket. Jackson-Davis, celebrating his birthday, delivered an impressive performance with 17 points, five rebounds, and two blocks in less than 15 minutes.
11 lined it up.
32 knocked it down.đź“ş @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/oCiHLgF6yk
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 23, 2024
This chemistry between Thompson and Jackson-Davis isn’t new, having been glimpsed throughout the season, although it has somewhat waned recently due to Thompson’s reduced playing time since Draymond Green’s return.
Before the recent game, Thompson had already assisted Jackson-Davis on 15 baskets this season, tying with Stephen Curry for the most on the team. Despite not being recognized for his passing skills historically, Thompson seems determined to feed his younger teammate, indicating a promising development in their partnership.
Thompson’s shift to the bench, coupled with the decrease in Dario Saric’s playing time at center, suggests that the duo will have ample opportunities to further develop their synergy in the latter half of the season. Expectations are that they will spend at least 12-15 minutes together on the court, a combination likely to improve further with the imminent return of Chris Paul from injury.