The Golden State Warriors have gotten off to a slower-than-anticipated start during the 2022-23 NBA season. They have been unusually suspect on the defensive end of the court as they are currently 25th in the league in defensive rating and 10th in offensive rating.
The start is especially concerning when you consider how well Stephen Curry is playing as he is performing at an MVP level once again. There are numerous reasons that the team is struggling, such as the bench being a mess. But, the most public one that people are seeing is the struggles of Klay Thompson.
The fact that Thompson has even been able to return to the court after tearing his ACL and then rupturing his Achilles, leading to a period of over 900 days between playing in an NBA game, is impressive in itself. Last season it was evident that rust needed to be knocked off and this season he has looked like a shell of himself as well.
Coming into the weekend, Thompson had more shot attempts than points scored this season. He began showing some signs of life against the New York Knicks, who have given up plenty of big scoring nights this season. Thompson made 50 percent of his shot attempts for the first time this season against the Knicks.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Klay Thompson & Golden State Warriors Updates
That looks like it could be his turning point moment as Thompson exploded on Sunday against the Houston Rockets. He scored a season-high 41 points, knocking down 10-of-13 3-point attempts and helping lead Golden State to their first road victory of the season.
After the game, Thompson revealed what is attributing to his turnaround in the last few games. It was a shocking admission that was meant, as Thompson said that outside noise was getting to him, but now he is shaking it off.
“I don’t care anymore,” Thompson said. “I really let the trolls get to me. Like, ‘What am I doing?’ I had just a revelation where I was like, ‘Man, just be you and everything will play out.’ Criticize me all you want. But I know how great I am and what I’m capable of, and I think real Warriors fans know that as well.”
Thompson has spent the first month of the season looking to recapture that old Klay form. He was seemingly pressing at times, forcing the action looking to get on track. He settled in against the Knicks and rode that momentum into the game against Houston, letting the game come to him and finding his flow.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Klay Thompson & Golden State Warriors Updates
Going back to basics is what has helped Thompson get out of his funk. His resume speaks for itself and that quiet confidence is returning, which is bad news for the rest of the NBA that is attempting to take the Warriors down.
“He is not worried about what happens with Klay,” Draymond Green said. “He’s worried about what happens with this team. And when Klay worries about what happens with this team, Klay plays great and we win. I’ve always said he’s the most competitive guy that I’ve ever played with and the most important thing to him has always been winning. At times, we all get away from who we are. And in a brotherhood, you need someone to bring you back to who you are. I have no doubt in my mind if it was me, he’d do the same thing.”
While it is still concerning that it took a historic effort from Curry, Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, as their 23 combined 3-pointers are the most by a trio in a single game in NBA history, to beat the lowly Rockets, Golden State looks to be rounding into shape.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Klay Thompson & Golden State Warriors Updates
Steve Kerr is going to start leaning into his stars more as the bench figures itself out, which would result in more victories in the coming weeks. It would not surprise anyone if Thompson’s resurgence this weekend helps get the Warriors on track and leads to a lengthy winning streak being put together.
