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‘It Opens Opportunities For Everybody’: Klay Thompson’s Shooting Rhythm Brings Gravity Boost To Dallas Mavericks’ Offense

Grant AfsethNovember 17, 2025November 17, 2025no comment

Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, Portland Trail Blazers

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Klay Thompson didn’t finish the game on the floor, didn’t play in overtime, and logged only three minutes in the fourth quarter. But during the first three quarters of Dallas’ 138–133 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Thompson gave the Mavericks exactly what they needed: stability, spacing, and a veteran presence that helped unlock the offense on a night when they were short-handed again.

Thompson’s 19 points and five made threes forced Portland into defensive overreactions from the opening minutes. He bent coverages, drew top matchups, and created the lanes Dallas eventually used to surge back into the game.

Daniel Gafford said the effect was obvious.

“Teams overplay him because of his gravity,” Gafford said. “It opens opportunities for everybody. One of the best shooters in the world — you have to get the ball in his hands.”

Klay Thompson Set the Early Tone Dallas Desperately Needed

Dallas stumbled defensively and on the glass early, falling behind after a 37-point first quarter by Portland. Thompson’s shooting helped keep the Mavericks connected. Whether curling off screens or drifting into open pockets, he absorbed enough defensive attention to lift Dallas’ spacing.

Jason Kidd said Thompson’s movement and timing have become foundational to the Mavericks’ half-court identity.

“Looking for him and setting screens,” Kidd said. “Playing dribble handoffs, turning them down. The trust he has to come back and get it. We have to keep leaning into it because he’s playing at a high level.”

This stretch of games has required Thompson to do more than simply make shots — he’s been asked to steady an offense missing Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Danté Exum, and Ryan Nembhard.

Three games earlier, Thompson explained how he has approached this expanded responsibility.

“I’m enjoying it,” Thompson said. “I get to see the game develop, see where to pick my spots. At the end of the day, I play 30 minutes in the NBA. I’m just trying to be out there as much as I possibly can. My goal this year is to be the most consistent presence in the locker room.”

That consistency mattered Sunday. Thompson didn’t just hit shots; he absorbed the kind of attention typically directed at Irving or Davis. His shooting forced Portland’s defense into early rotation patterns that Dallas eventually exploited.

His Shooting Gravity Matters Even More While the Mavericks Are Injured

With multiple starters sidelined again, Thompson acknowledged that Dallas must operate differently to stay competitive.

“It’s not easy. NBA is not easy,” Thompson said last week. “While Kyrie and Anthony are out of the lineup, we have to play differently — play for each other more, and trust the pass even more. It’s hard to guard the offense when the ball is zipping around.”

His fingerprints were all over that style of play on Sunday. Every time Portland hugged to him on the perimeter or top-locked an off-ball route, Cooper Flagg, Brandon Williams, Max Christie and P.J. Washington saw clearer driving lanes. Dallas’ most efficient possessions of the first three quarters often came when Thompson triggered or occupied actions that forced the Trail Blazers to defend in rotation.

Washington said those sequences make Thompson’s value obvious.

“He has so much gravity,” Washington said. “Putting him in actions makes defenses react and opens everything up.”

Even when Thompson checked out in the fourth quarter and did not appear in overtime, Dallas kept scoring through the structure he helped build: spacing, quick reversals, confident attacking.

A Veteran Helping Dallas Function Through Turbulence

The Mavericks have been operating without a complete roster since the season began, and Thompson admitted the grind has been real.

“I haven’t had the best start of the season either shooting my typical averages, and that’s not going to deter me from shooting and putting my best effort forward,” Thompson said earlier this month. “I can’t wait for the day we’re whole. It’s going to be such a pleasant sight to see.”

Until that day arrives, Dallas is relying on Thompson to be a stabilizer — not necessarily the closer or the leading scorer, but the player who keeps the floor organized, keeps the defense honest, and keeps the offense flowing.

Against Portland, that role was essential.

Thompson gave Dallas room to breathe. Room to operate. Room to rediscover rhythm.

And on a night defined by the surge of younger teammates, the Mavericks still benefited from the quiet force of a veteran who knows how to shape a game without dominating it.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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