Klay Thompson recalled a game against the Milwaukee Bucks where Giannis Antetokounmpo approached the Warriors bench to congratulate him after a 38-point performance, a gesture that helped him believe in his ability to return to greatness following an injury, udn NBA reported.
Thompson Shoots Career-Low Percentage in Reserve Role
- Thompson adjusted to a reserve role last season with the Dallas Mavericks, appearing in 69 games with just 8 starts.
- His three-point shooting efficiency dipped to a career-low 38.3% while averaging 7.6 attempts per game from beyond the arc.
Thompson Scores Season-High Against Milwaukee in 2022
The moment occurred following a matchup on March 13, 2022. Thompson finished the contest with 38 points while shooting 8-for-14 from the three-point line, lifting the Warriors to a 122-109 victory that halted Milwaukee’s six-game winning streak. It marked Thompson’s season-high scoring output that year, arriving during his comeback season after a two-and-a-half-year absence due to injury.
Rather than heading straight to the locker room after a hard-fought loss, Antetokounmpo walked across the floor to the Warriors’ bench area. Thompson, speaking during an interview with The Athletic, explained how the gesture resonated with him.
Thompson shared a story about Antetokounmpo, noting that during the year he returned after missing two and a half years, he scored 38 points in a great game against the Bucks. He recalled that after the game ended, Antetokounmpo walked from the opposite bench to the Warriors’ side specifically to tell him how happy he was for him.
Reflecting on Antetokounmpo’s Sportsmanship
Thompson admitted that the interaction brought him close to tears as he revisited the memory. He noted the humility displayed by Antetokounmpo, a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, who looked past the final score to validate an opponent’s recovery journey.
Thompson stated that he did not want to become too emotional, but the gesture meant the world to him. He noted that as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo chose to offer validation rather than be upset that his team lost while Thompson had a great game, which gave Thompson a completely different perspective of him.
Recent Career Trajectory with the Mavericks
While Thompson earned four championship rings during his tenure with Golden State, his production has experienced a noticeable shift in recent years. During the previous campaign with the Dallas Mavericks, Thompson saw his role altered significantly as he embraced bench duties for the first time in his professional career.
| Metric | Previous Seasons Benchmark | Last Season (Dallas Mavericks) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Games Played | Varies (Starter) | 69 |
| Games Started | Majority | 8 |
| 3-Point Percentage | Historical Elite Range | 38.3% |
| 3-Point Attempts Per Game | Higher Volume | 7.6 |
Despite the statistical adjustments and the physical toll of his prior rehabilitation timeline, Thompson's reflection on that 2022 encounter highlights the mutual respect shared among elite competitors in professional basketball.
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