Steph Curry Defends Klay Thompson Amid Struggles in Dallas: “He’s Still Carrying Warrior Success”
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson built a dynasty together in Golden State - four championships, countless unforgettable moments, and a backcourt bond that defined an era. But as Thompson navigates a challenging new chapter with the Dallas Mavericks, Curry isn’t staying silent.
Speaking candidly about his longtime teammate’s recent struggles - both on the court and in the spotlight - Curry offered a strong defense of Thompson, who’s been the subject of trade rumors and public criticism as his production has dipped in Dallas.
In a conversation with ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Curry addressed a recent incident involving Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, who mocked Thompson during a game against the Mavericks. While Curry acknowledged the symbolism of Thompson still carrying the Warriors' championship legacy, he pushed back against the criticism being thrown Thompson’s way.
“The idea that he is carrying the Warrior success no matter what jersey he has on, I do like that part of it,” Curry said. “But I don’t like people taking shots at him when he doesn’t have that coverage and he doesn’t have his guys with him.”
That "coverage" Curry refers to isn’t just about defensive schemes - it’s about the system, the familiarity, and the trust that Thompson had in Golden State. In Dallas, that safety net is gone, and the adjustment has been anything but smooth.
A New Role, A New Reality
Thompson’s numbers this season tell the story of a player in transition. He’s averaging just 11.1 points per game - the lowest of his career - while shooting 37.0% from the field, also a career low. His 36.1% clip from beyond the arc is still respectable, but it’s a far cry from the elite sharpshooter who once dropped 37 points in a single quarter.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, are sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 10-17 record. For a team that once had Luka Dončić at the helm, the current roster is a work in progress.
Thompson joined the Mavs in 2024, shortly before the blockbuster trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers and brought in 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis. That left Thompson in a very different situation - one that’s asked him to do more self-creation, a skill that’s never been his bread and butter.
Gone are the days of catching fire off screens set by Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, with Curry drawing defenders away. In Dallas, Thompson’s had to find his rhythm in a much less forgiving environment.
Thompson Reflects on His Time with the Warriors
Despite the current turbulence, Thompson still speaks with pride about his time in the Bay Area. In the same interview, he reflected on the mindset that came with wearing a Warriors jersey - and how that standard shaped his approach to the game.
“When I was in the Bay, when I put that No. 11 jersey on, I think any performer would tell you, any athlete, that you hold yourself to a certain standard,” Thompson said. “When you’ve broken records, when you’ve set records, when you’ve experienced the highest peaks the sport can offer - and you think that’s just the normal - I was always searching for that in Golden State.”
That standard he’s referencing isn’t abstract. Thompson was instrumental in the Warriors’ championship runs from 2015 to 2022.
From his 60-point game on just 11 dribbles to his legendary Game 6 performances, Thompson’s résumé speaks for itself. But in Dallas, the context has changed - and so has the challenge.
What’s Next for Klay?
For now, Thompson remains a Maverick, playing alongside rookie phenom Cooper Flagg and the veteran presence of Anthony Davis. The team is still figuring itself out, and so is Thompson - trying to find his place in a system that doesn’t resemble the one where he became a legend.
Trade rumors continue to swirl, and with the Mavericks struggling to gain traction in the West, the noise isn’t going away anytime soon. But if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed, it’s the respect Thompson commands from those who know him best.
Curry’s message was clear: don’t write off Klay just because the jersey’s changed. The legacy he built in Golden State doesn’t disappear when the shots stop falling - and for Curry, that legacy still matters.