Klay Thompson Had Testy Moment With Reporter Over His Role With Warriors

This was awkward.

Warriors veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson had a terse exchange with a reporter who seemed to question his continued playing time.

During a media availability session on Monday, Thompson was asked by a reporter about the patience coach Steve Kerr gives his veteran starters even as they go through struggles. While the question was not directly critical of Thompson, it wasn’t hard to read between the lines, given the 33-year-old shooting guard is shooting a career-worst percentage both from the field and from three.

“You want me to bench me?” Thompson asked the reporter. When the reporter responded that he didn’t say that, Thompson replied “You can suggest it, it’s fine.”

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson takes a shot against San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson during the third quarter at Chase Center / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s the full exchange.

"You want me to bench me?"

Klay Thompson got spicy when asked about Steve Kerr's patience sticking with the same starters 😅 pic.twitter.com/1Qb4GaSy9l

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 28, 2023

The interaction was certainly awkward, to say the least.

“Thanks Steve [Kerr], I guess,” Thompson continued. “Sometimes you earn these things like patience and time to find yourself. I think history is on our side when it comes to that stuff.”

Thompson then was asked whether he listens to some of the outside noise regarding his poor play, to which he replied, “I don’t care what people say.”

The season is less than a quarter of the way through, but tensions do seem to be slowly rising in Golden State, where the Warriors are just 8–9 on the season and have won just two of their last nine games.

If nothing else, the dialogue got fans talking.

Washed and can't let go. If Westbrook can come off the bench, so can you. https://t.co/s2a4dUoDIQ

— Kamala Harris Has My Vote! (@dadreadedgemini) November 28, 2023

It truly is a shame to see Klay goin out like this. https://t.co/rqoa695kFm

— WrapGame (@WrapGame) November 28, 2023

Klay is getting to be unbearable. https://t.co/Kftj357JvT

— Doug (@DougStephens35) November 28, 2023

That hurt sounded different, especially when he was trying to laugh it off https://t.co/1zDWRwMyoM

— J Wise (@OnpointJWise) November 28, 2023

He definitely cares…. https://t.co/iwtCKgsjwx

— Lawrence Brooks (@LBSaidIt) November 28, 2023