Kyrie Irving Makes Bold Klay Thompson Statement After Dallas Mavericks Beat Pelicans

On Wednesday evening, the Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans by a score of 137-136.
Klay Thompson finished the win with 20 points, four rebounds and one assist while shooting 6/11 from the three-point range.
After the game, Kyrie Irving spoke about his teammate (h/t Joey Mistretta of ClutchPoints).
Irving: "We're making an emphasis to get him involved and to keep him involved throughout the game... Also, call his number when we don't have anything offensively. He's one of those emergency buttons for us."
Kyrie Irving says Klay Thompson is an emergency button for the Mavericks.
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) January 30, 2025
“He’s one of those emergency buttons for us.”#MFFL pic.twitter.com/vUcigS76VC
Thompson is in his first year with Dallas after 13 years with the Golden State Warriors.
The four-time NBA Champion is averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest while shooting 41.7% from the field and 39.6% from the three-point range in 41 games.
He has scored 20+ points in each of the previous two.
Via @MavsMuse: "Klay Thompson is leading the entire NBA in 3 pointers made this season (126) for players under 27.5 minutes per game."
Klay Thompson is leading the entire NBA in 3 pointers made this season (126) for players under 27.5 minutes per game. pic.twitter.com/LzGg42HQgV
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) January 30, 2025
With the win, the Mavs are now 26-22 in 48 games, which has them as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
They are in the middle of a two-game winning streak (and 4-6 over their last ten).
Following New Orleans, the Mavs will play their next game on Saturday when they visit the Detroit Pistons in Michigan.
As for Irving, he is in his third season with Dallas.
The future Hall of Famer has also spent time with the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers.