Klay Thompson admits Mavericks performances ’embarrassing’ after what he talked about in preseason

Thompson takes accountability for the Mavericks’ defeats

With the Mavericks’ losses, the fans have turned their attention to general manager Nico Harrison again. He is the main architect of this team and has been under the spotlight since he traded Doncic away.

He has been under a microscope since early 2025. The Mavericks have not started well, and it is an even bigger blow, considering Doncic is playing all-time great basketball to start the season with the Lakers, where he is happy and settled.

As one of the leaders and a four-time champion, Thompson is being more outspoken about the team. He wants them to bounce back and have a strong season, but it does not look good so far for the core group under coach Jason Kidd.

“You got to give ’em something to cheer for. I got to give ’em something to cheer for. It’s the nature of the game, man. I’ve been there. I was a fan for 20 years before I got into the NBA. I would’ve definitely criticized players. I mean, we deserve a lot of criticism. We’re the ones out there making it happen,” Thompson said to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

“There’s always this urgency. We’re all competitive. It’s embarrassing, especially for myself, after talking championship preseason, all that. But I mean, it’s the only thing I play for at this point.”

“So it’s not fun, but there’s only one way out. Stick together and get better, and work even harder every day. I know I will, and I know the rest of the guys will. So it’s just a matter of being not patient but just being relentless in our efforts.”

The Mavericks have plenty of time to turn it around

Of course, the Mavericks have only two games to start the year. Although the results may not have been the most promising, Dallas still has a strong team. With a coach like Kidd, anything is possible for this team when they get going.

Irving will return sometime soon, and the rest of the team must step up. Davis is the superstar of the group, so he will be responsible for helping the team bounce back from losses. Rookie Cooper Flagg must roll with the punches because he is not the typical top pick that is thrust into a weaker team.

Flagg will need to contribute and show why he was the unanimous top prospect in the 2025 Draft. If they can live up to the expectations, Thompson’s comments would work. He wants accountability from the team, and they can keep going as a top Western Conference team again.