Dec 27, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Klay Thompson Makes Honest Luka Doncic Statement After Mavs-Lakers Game

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 1:42 AM ET

On Tuesday evening, Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Lakers by a score of 107-99 in Los Angeles.

Despite the loss, Thompson had a good game, finishing with 22 points while shooting 5/10 from the three-point range.

After the game, he was asked about going up against Luka Doncic for the first time after the blockbuster trade.

Thompson: "It was strange... He's a competitive guy, and so are we... It was fun to battle... It was strange at first, but once you run up and down the court a couple times, it's just another basketball game... Anytime you face someone who did as much as Luka did for us, there's gonna be emotions involved."

Thompson signed with the Mavs over the summer, so he only got to play with Doncic for a short stint.

Many people had thought that Thompson would have been an excellent complement to Doncic in the 2025 NBA playoffs.

Kyrie Irving Luka Doncic Klay Thompson pic.twitter.com/ACIxUd9Z1o
— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) February 26, 2025

With the loss, the Mavs dropped to 31-28 in 59 games, which ahs them as the ninth seed in the Western Conference.

They have gone 5-5 over their last ten (and are in the middle of a two-game losing streak).

Following the Lakers, the Mavs will play their next game on Thursday when they host the Charlotte Hornets.

Klay Thompson gives an interview during training camp. Watch his eyes light up as he describes playing with Luka Doncic, describing the pick n’ roll with him as being “the best he’s ever seen”

Everyone will always wonder what could’ve been with the 2024-2025 Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/a7LlvyzUCp
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) February 16, 2025