After losing to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors’ season was formally over. Golden State had a difficult game; they unable to generate any offensive momentum and ultimately lost 118-94.
With what was perhaps the worst game of his career, Klay Thompson had an exceptionally difficult evening. It was his first game without a field goal since his rookie campaign. He was 0-for-10 from the field, including 0-for-6 from 3-point range.
He also created some unpleasant Warriors history in the process. His 0-for-10 game break Harrison Barnes’ three-time record of 0-for-8, making it the most shots missed in a single game without a make in NBA Playoff and Play-In Tournament history.
That may have signaled the end of an era for the Warriors, even though it is by no means the perfect way to end a season. There have been reports around the NBA that Thompson may not have suit up for the team again.
Thompson, who will be eligible for free agency this summer, will have to make a tough choice. Even though head coach Steve Kerr has stated that the Warriors need him back, will they be able to pay him the salary he demands when his on-court output drops?
Emotions are high following a defeat like as Golden State experienced on Tuesday. After the game, Thompson was soaking everything in and was candid about his possible departure from the team in the 2024 NBA offseason.
That’s life, according to Thompson. “I’ve had so much success here, and I won’t let anything that occurs in the future make me bitter about the things I’ve been able to achieve while wearing the Warriors uniform. I don’t even let that creep in.
Many will be closely monitoring his exercise of free agency. There will be plenty of NBA teams with cash to spend that could benefit from having a player of his quality. Even though Thompson is not the two-way star he once was, he would still be a significant upgrade for multiple teams.
Even if Thompson’s extraordinarily high 3-point shooting percentage of 38.7 percent is below it, it’s still a respectable rate. He can still contribute in the appropriate role and system. Will that system and role be with the Warriors or with another NBA team is the question.
