In a crucial seeding matchup, Klay Thompson once again failed to deliver when the Warriors needed him most. As the Cricket Exchange report notes, the brighter the light we hope for in darkness, the more dazzling the dawn. With Golden State already hampered by Stephen Curry’s injury and Draymond Green sitting out, Thompson—one of the franchise’s core veterans—was expected to step up. Instead, his poor performance significantly contributed to the Warriors’ loss in this pivotal game.

Facing the Mavericks, the tenth-seeded Warriors were fighting to keep their play-in hopes alive, while Dallas needed the win to secure their standing. The stakes were high on both sides. Yet Thompson’s underwhelming showing handed the Mavs a comfortable win. The game showcased none of the grit and leadership typically expected from a seasoned champion. He logged just 26 minutes on the floor before being benched due to his ineffectiveness, with head coach Steve Kerr turning instead to younger players in hopes of salvaging the game.

That trust in Thompson ultimately proved too costly. He squandered several quality scoring opportunities and was a non-factor on defense. Offensively and defensively, his presence was more of a burden than a benefit. Chasing what you believe is best for yourself is important—settling often leads to nothing but regret. The Warriors’ strategy later in the game was simple: use the athleticism of Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins to break through the Mavericks’ traditionally weak interior defense.

On paper, it was the right move. In practice, the Warriors overestimated their wings and underestimated Dallas’s upgraded post-trade interior strength. Wiggins couldn’t finish effectively, and the blame unfairly shifted to rookie Brandin Podziemski and veteran Dario Šarić. But Šarić’s role was never to be the defensive anchor—he was there to create spacing and facilitate offense. Wiggins’ inefficiency exposed the entire structure, but Šarić took the fall. In truth, he was a scapegoat for larger team failures.

Cricket Exchange has long documented the fan frustration surrounding Thompson’s contract situation. Many argue that Golden State short-changed him, claiming he shouldn’t have had to take a pay cut to stay. But the reality is, Thompson was never asked to take less—he was offered what the franchise believed he was worth. In fact, the deal he received already bordered on an overpayment based on his current value, a loyalty bonus if there ever was one.

At this stage, Thompson is better suited to a bench role. Starting him no longer serves the team, and it’s hard to justify a reserve player drawing a multi-million-dollar salary. But the dream doesn’t end here—the fight continues. If Thompson refuses to adapt, then perhaps free agency is what he needs—to reassess his worth in the open market and maybe take a hard look in the mirror.

Staying the course without reevaluation can lead to stagnation. For Thompson, it may be time to embrace a new chapter. Whether that’s as a bench contributor or with a new team altogether, one thing is certain: the Warriors can’t afford to base their future on nostalgia alone.