Klay Thompson's Bench Opens Opportunities for Mavericks' Young Star
After Dallas Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd decided to bench Klay Thompson, a promising young player on the team stands to gain significantly from an expanded role. Despite a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, Kidd changed the starting lineup by placing D'Angelo Russell in the starting five instead of Thompson.
Thompson still contributed effectively off the bench, scoring 11 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out three assists on 4-7 shooting in 21 minutes. Kidd’s willingness to bench Thompson signals strong confidence in Max Christie, who has been making a notable impact and could maintain his starting position even after Kyrie Irving returns from injury.
Max Christie’s Rising Performance
Christie, 22, has been one of the Mavericks’ standout players this season. His offseason training has clearly translated into improved performance on the court. He’s demonstrated greater comfort attacking off closeouts, handling the ball in open space, and shooting nearly 50% from beyond the arc.
While such a high shooting percentage is unlikely to be sustained all season, Christie has shown a polished game. His contributions extend beyond shooting; for example, he excels as a cutter and consistently performs the small but essential tasks that benefit Dallas.
Starting Role and Team Context
This game marked Christie’s fifth start of the season. Kidd first added him to the starting lineup after Dereck Lively II suffered a knee sprain following the Mavericks’ victory over the Toronto Raptors in their third game of the year.
"Kidd proving he wasn't reluctant to bench Thompson bodes well for Max Christie's hopes of staying in the starting lineup, even when Kyrie Irving returns from injury."
Christie’s progress reflects his readiness to contribute at a high level, suggesting he may be a key asset for the Mavericks going forward.
Author's summary: The Mavericks’ decision to bench Klay Thompson highlights their confidence in Max Christie, whose strong performance and growing role promise exciting potential for Dallas’ future.
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