Erik Spoelstra Makes Honest Klay Thompson Statement Before Mavs-Heat Game

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke about Klay Thompson before Sunday's matchup with the Mavs.

Oct 27, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra walks in front of the team bench during action against the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images / Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

On Sunday evening, the Miami Heat will host Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks in Florida.

Thompson is in his first season playing for Dallas.

The four-time NBA Champion comes into the night with averages of 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest while shooting 38.1% from the field and 35.9% from the three-point range in 16 games.

Before the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke about Thompson (h/t Zachary Weinberger of ClutchPoints).

Spoelstra: "He has that Hall of Fame shooting that you always have to beware where he is on the court because he can ignite at any moment. They've played well in the few games that they've played without Doncic."

Asked Erik Spoelstra about Dallas’ addition of Klay Thompson and what he adds to their team.

“Well he has that hall of fame shooting that you always have to beware…they’ve played well in the few games that they played without Doncic…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/YbN57NLRgh

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 23, 2024

Thompson is coming off a challenging game against the Denver Nuggets.

He had 0 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one block while shooting 0/8 from the field and 0/4 from the three-point range in 23 minutes.

That said, the Mavs still won by a score of 123-120.

"Well, he has that Hall of Fame shooting that you always have to beware [of]. Where he is on the court because he can ignite at any moment. They’ve played well in the few games that they played without [Luka] Doncic."

Erik Spoelstra on the addition of Klay Thompson to the Mavs… pic.twitter.com/LscFd9QDHn

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 23, 2024

The Mavs will continue to play without Luka Doncic, but they still have Kyrie Irving (and Thompson).

They are 9-7 in their first 16 games, which has them as the ninth seed in the west.

In addition, the Mavs have won four straight games.

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that an MRI revealed a right wrist sprain for guard Luka Dončić. Dončić sustained the injury during the Mavericks’ game against New Orleans on Tuesday.

Dončić will be reevaluated in one week.

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) November 21, 2024

On the other hand, Spoelstra's Heat are the fifth seed in the east with a 6-7 record in 13 games.

They most recently beat Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers by a score of 106-89 (at home).

This will be the first time the Mavs and Heat have faced off in 2024-25.