‘Washed’ Klay Thompson Urged to Retire as Mavericks Slump Continues
Dallas Mavericks wing Klay Thompson will likely be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame one day, with his No. 11 jersey hanging from the rafters of the Chase Center. However, the Golden State Warriors legend is off to a horrific start to the new season, continuing a trend from his debut season in Dallas.
In Monday’s 110-102 loss to the Houston Rockets, Thompson shot 2-of-9 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from three, and was thus benched for most of the fourth quarter.
The 35-year-old is averaging a career-low 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while shooting 32.8% from the field and 27.5% from three. Thompson, who ranks fifth all-time in three-pointers made, can’t buy a bucket from long distance this season — converting on a career-low 1.6 threes per game from 5.7 attempts.
Klay Thompson Slump Continues
Thompson’s season thus far is best described by the following metrics (H/T Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe):
– 20.2 minutes per game (career low)
– Fifth-worst shooting percentage (32.8%) league-wide (min. 60 attempts)
– Sixth-worst plus-minus (-70) league-wide
The Washington State alum is a historically slow starter, dating back to his prime years in Golden State. However, the alarming aspect is that his shooting struggles extend to last season and his final year with the Warriors in 2023-24. It’s hard to forget that Thompson ended his iconic Warriors career shooting 0-of-10 from the field against the Sacramento Kings in an NBA play-in game.
Amid his recent struggles, several Mavericks fans on X called Thompson “washed” while others urged him to “retire” to avoid further embarrassment.
“He needs to retire,” wrote a fan on X. “He hasn’t been the same since the season after they won the chip, and didn’t even play well in the 2022 Finals.”
Klay Thompson Still Believes
MFFL Nation, a popular Mavericks fan account on X, did not mince words after Thompson’s forgettable game on Monday.
“I’m fed up with this Klay Thompson shooting slump…”
Amid the criticism about his personal struggles, Thompson has high hopes for a Dallas Mavericks team that boasts of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, prized rookie Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively and a host of talented role players.
During his Media Day interview, Thompson said the Mavericks had the tools to win the 2026 NBA title once Irving returns from his ACL injury.
“We have different personnel than we did last season,” Thompson said, via The Athletic. “We have to play to our strengths. That is cutting off the ball. Playing through our big men. We understand it can be a different player’s night every night out there. We don’t know who is going to lead the team in scoring. It’s obviously Kyrie and A.D. But until those guys are in the lineup on a consistent basis, it’s going to be someone else’s turn every night.”
“There’s no reason we can’t be the highest rated defensive team in the NBA. In my experience, what helps to win is having a roster full of two-way players. We have that.”
Thompson is signed through the 2026-27 season with the Mavericks. He turns 36 in February.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert Opens Up on His Injury Heading Into Week 3: ‘Day by Day’
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert gave an update on his injury status on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Goedert, who injured his knee in week one against the Dallas Cowboys, was inactive against the Chiefs this past weekend, as his team sent Kansas City to an 0-2 start.
“Got out there again, felt really good,” Goedert said after Wednesday’s practice. “Still taking it day-by-day but I’ll see how it feels tomorrow.”
Goedert was a limited participant Wednesday, but seems to be in high-spirits about the status of his recovery. He has no official injury tag for the Eagles Sunday matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Goedert said that he finished the week one game against the Cowboys despite suffering the injury in the second quarter of the game. He wanted to suit up at Arrowhead Stadium last weekend, but was held out by the teams’ medical staff.
“Tried to convince them to let me play last week, but they made me listen to the medical professionals,” Goedert quipped during his interview.
In Goedert’s absence in week two, the Eagles utilized second and third string tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson. Both mostly factored into the blocking game more than the passing game, as they each had just one reception for six and five yards, respectively.
Goedert’s threat as a pass-catcher was certainly missed and will play a huge factor into this weekend’s game against LA if he is able to return.
Goedert on Eagles Offensive Growth
Goedert expressed that the Philadelphia offense is an ever-evolving entity each season, and that this 2025 edition of the unit isn’t even close to it’s peak at this point of the season.
“We’re growing as a team, last year we were sitting at 2-2 four weeks in, we didn’t really find our identity as an offense until after that,” Goedert said. “It’s still really early, things are going to start to come together.”
The passing game has been effectively stymied by the Cowboys and Chiefs in each of the first two weeks, as Jalen Hurts has thrown for just 253 yards in both games combined. He hasn’t thrown for a touchdown yet, though he has rushed for 77 yards while Saquon Barkley has 148 yards on the ground through week two.
“I feel like we have a really special team, a lot of hungry guys,” Goedert said. “We’ve just got to keep taking it one week at a time and try to put our best work out on the field on Sundays.”
Goedert’s insertion back into the lineup should help the passing game get going for Hurts and the Eagles, and it seems like the 8th-year veteran is doing everything he can to be ready for Sunday.
Battle of 2-0 Teams in Philadelphia
Both the Eagles and Rams are entering week three undefeated. Los Angeles won a defensive battle with the Houston Texans in week one before their offense exploded for 33 points in a week two victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Matthew Stafford looks like his vintage self after two weeks, with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams providing him multiple options for big-plays on every down.
The Eagles strong secondary will be the unit to watch in this game as they’re taking on a pass-first offense for the third week in a row after two successful performances.
Something’s got to give this week in Philadelphia. The Eagles and Rams will face off in the 1 p.m. window.
