Whenever an NBA star is benched, it’s big news.
When it’s four-time champion and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson, it’s even bigger.
Thompson, who is adjusting well to his new sixth-man role, initially did not like being sent to the bench.
He yelled at Warriors coach Steve Kerr and a few assistant coaches when he was told of the move, according to ESPN.
Kerr said Thompson later apologized and that he understands the sharpshooter’s frustration.
“It was not an easy conversation,” Kerr told ESPN. “This is maybe the hardest part about getting further away from our prime. It’s just after 12 years it wasn’t easy. And still moving forward, it’s not going to be easy. But I told him, ‘If you really embrace it, you can help your team win.’”
Thompson’s benching came as his production dipped and the team was sitting at 26-26.
In a loss to the Clippers on Valentine’s Day, Thompson intentionally fouled Russell Westbrook while the Warriors were down three points with 38 seconds left, an obvious defend but don’t foul situation.
The next game, Thompson came off the bench for the first time since the 2012 season.
In that Feb. 15 game, Thompson finished with 35 points on 13-of-22 and was 7-of-13 from 3-point range to knock off the Jazz, 140-137, on the road.
Thompson shared some insight about his new role after the win.
“You can do two things,” Thompson said. “You can pout or you can go out there and respond.”
Since the role change, the Warriors have won five of their past six games with the only loss coming against the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
In the Warriors’ 110-99 win over the Knicks on Thursday night, Thompson finished with 16 points and five rebounds. He shot 6-for-16 and 4-for-10 from beyond the arc.
In the six games since the move to the bench, Thompson is averaging a little more than 19.2 points per game.
The Warriors may look for more production from Thompson with Andrew Wiggins taking a leave of absence from the team due to a private matter.
The Warriors’ latest surge still finds them in 10th place in the Western Conference, the final spot in the for the play-in round.
They are a half-game behind the Lakers, two games behind the Kings and two-and-a-half games behind the Mavericks.
Golden State will look to make it five out of six Friday night when its travels north of the border to play the Raptors.
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