Warriors still have Klay-sized hole to fill halfway through season
The Golden State Warriors are learning a harsh lesson this season: replacing Klay Thompson is proving to be as impossible as it seemed when the sharpshooter left the Bay Area. His departure last summer, and the ripple effects it caused, continue to haunt the Warriors nearly halfway through the season.
The Legacy of Klay Thompson
For over a decade, Thompson wasn’t just a Warrior—he was a cornerstone of the team’s identity. His partnership with Steph Curry formed the NBA’s most lethal backcourt, earning the moniker “Splash Brothers”. But now, with Thompson wearing a Dallas Mavericks jersey bearing No. 31, the Warriors are struggling to fill the void left by his departure.
Curry, despite nearing his 37th birthday, remains a force, delivering 26 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in a recent loss to the Toronto Raptors. Yet, the Warriors have fallen under .500 for the first time this season, highlighting how far the team has to go to regain its footing.
Guard-Heavy Lineup Falling Short
Injuries to Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga forced coach Steve Kerr to rely on a guard-heavy lineup against the Raptors. Andrew Wiggins slid to power forward, while Buddy Hield and Dennis Schröder joined Curry in the backcourt. However, the results were underwhelming:
- Schröder and Hield combined for 20 points on 8-of-25 shooting, including a dismal 4-of-16 from three.
- Hield, expected to fill Thompson’s role as a reliable shooter, has been inconsistent. While he shone early in the season, his performances have since tapered off, leaving the Warriors grasping for answers.
Hield’s Struggles in Crucial Moments
Hield’s inconsistency was glaring in the Warriors’ loss to Toronto. With less than two minutes left and the team clinging to a one-point lead, Hield missed a wide-open three-pointer from the corner—a shot Thompson might have nailed effortlessly. His 2-of-10 performance from beyond the arc epitomized the team’s offensive struggles.
Despite the poor outing, Kerr continues to back Hield:
“He’s a great shooter… I trust him. He gives us spacing even when he’s not making shots.”
Schröder’s Trade: A Misstep?
The Warriors acquired Dennis Schröder to bolster their roster, but his impact has been minimal. In his 14 games with the team, the Warriors are 5-9, and Schröder’s shooting percentages have plummeted since his trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
The Irreplaceable Klay
The Warriors’ inability to replace Thompson’s unique skill set extends beyond scoring. His defensive prowess and ability to guard elite players like James Harden and Russell Westbrook earned him an All-Defensive team selection in 2019—a quality the Warriors sorely miss.
Even if Thompson’s shooting had declined slightly, his presence would likely stabilize a team searching for its identity. As Curry fights to keep the team afloat, the absence of his long-time partner is more apparent than ever.
Looking Ahead
With the season nearing its halfway point, the Warriors face a critical question: Can they adapt, or will they remain haunted by the Klay-sized hole in their roster? Wednesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves will be another test of their resilience.
As the Warriors’ struggles continue, one thing is clear: some players simply can’t be replaced.
