Klay Thompson is on the bench due to a brutal early season slump
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks made a lineup change Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Klay Thompson — who has started all seven games in which he has appeared this season heading into the competition — is moved to the bench. D’Angelo Russell gets his first start of the season as a result. Russell is joined in the starting lineup by Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.
Thompson has been stuck in an undeniable slump so far in 2025-26, and the Mavericks are hoping this move will get him going. Jason Kidd previously addressed Thompson’s struggles.
“He’s got to keep shooting, he’s a shooter,” Kidd said of Thompson on Oct. 29. “He’s been in this league for a long time. It’s for him to keep looking like this. He’s got a great look, he’s just not doing it right now.”
Thompson is averaging 8.1 points per game while shooting just 31.8 percent from the field and 26.2 percent from deep. He’s one of the best three-point shooters of all time, but Thompson is clearly still trying to find his style this year.
Russell, meanwhile, earns his first start as mentioned. The The Mavs were looking for answers surrounding Cooper Flaggand maybe it will help to start Russell at point guard and move Flagg to the three. Russell averaged 13.6 points, 6.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game off the bench in the 2025/2020 season.
Russell and Thompson will look to make a positive impact for the Mavericks in their new roles on Wednesday against the Pelicans.
2025-11-06 01:26:00
