Klay Thompson became one of the best of his postsWarriors in Wednesday’s win over the Clippers, but he couldn’t match that the next night against his former team. In his first trip to Golden State as a member Heatthe former “Splash Brother” was limited to 11 points in 23 minutes on 3-of-10 shooting in the 20-point loss. Twenty-four hours earlier, he had his first 30-point game since leaving the Bay Area and hit a dramatic 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Los Angeles
Speaking to the media after Thursday’s contest, Thompson agreed with a reporter that he looked happier than he had in two seasons in Dallas. Ron Krojczyk of The San Francisco Chronicle writes in history only for subscribers.
“Yes, definitely” Thompson replied. “I get to play in a place where I really enjoy living and I’m close to my family (in the Bahamas). This organization has put me in a great place and I’m very happy. Mentally, I’m in a much better place.”
For now Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and a coach Steve Kerr staying with the Warriors, Thompson decided to break the core of the dynasty and sign with Mavericks in 2024. He was joining an organization that had just reached the NBA Finals and hoped to continue that success with Luka Doncicbut Doncic was injured early in the season and was traded to the Lakers in February. Thompson spent two years with a struggling Dallas team that became unpopular with its fans before reaching a buyout agreement and signing with the Heat this summer.
“It’s always nice to see him having fun” Curry said. “But then we obviously wanted to come in and shut him off tonight. It’s still surreal to play against him and it will be because we’ve been through so many battles together.”
More on Heat:
- After being benched for the final 5:04 and all of Wednesday’s overtime, Andrew Wiggins was back in the starting line-up last night, but was again outplayed by the reserve wing Pele Larsonaccording to Anthony Chung of The Miami Herald (subscriber link). Wiggins is averaging 8.6 points per shin this season, and Chan notes that Larson has been much more efficient than Wiggins has been with the other four starters.
- Security veteran Tim Hardaway Jrwho was one of Miami’s offseason additions, appears to have been replaced in the rotation by a rookie Ryan ConwellChan adds. Hardaway was limited to seven and four minutes in the last two games, while Conwell was one of the first players off the bench Thursday, with 13 points and two assists in 29 minutes. “Now I feel for Tim because it’s not about him,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Now, it’s not necessarily anybody in the second unit. We’re just facing some teams that have multiple ball handlers and forwards. It was a good lineup for us yesterday when we had (Davion Mitchell) and Ryan are there together. It wasn’t really moving the needle for us tonight, so that happens sometimes.”
- Appearing on the Bill Simmons Podcast (Link to video on Twitter), Doc Rivers talks about the challenges of coaching the Heat Star Janis Antecumpa. “He’s not easy. He plays at such a crazy downhill pace.” said Rivers, who spent two and a half seasons with Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. “He’s a really tough guy. He’s got great passing ability, but at the same time, he doesn’t have a super high IQ. He really only has one way to play. Every play he wants to force. I wish he’d learn to execute better.”