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Klay Thompson cut an optimistic figure following the Golden State Warriors' 132-118 loss against the Chicago Bulls. The Warriors are one game behind the .500 mark, ranked eighth in the Western Conference. Nobody expected them to possess such a poor record at this stage of the season, but they haven't shown enough consistency to turn the corner.
Despite the team's persistent struggles, Thompson said there are no concerns for the Warriors right now. Here's what he told reporters (via NBC Sports):
"None, zero! Zero! Just get us there [in the playoffs] healthy and in one piece, hopefully with a decent seed."
The Warriors core's playoff experience remains unparalleled. They have made the finals six times in the last eight years, winning the chip on four occasions. It's not surprising that Klay Thompson seems confident about their chances in the playoffs if they are healthy.
The Western Conference standings are also oddly thin halfway through the season. The Warriors are a game behind the sixth seed and 3.5 games behind the fourth seed.
However, it may not stay this way for too long. Thompson and the Warriors need to resolve their issues and string together a bunch of wins to secure a higher seeding entering the playoffs. Their rivals have improved over the last year, and it may be an even tougher task to return to the finals, considering their struggles.
Klay Thompson's return to form rare bright spot for struggling Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors look worse now than they did at the start of the season. Steph Curry was their only reliable player during that stretch. Klay Thompson and the rest of the group struggled massively with him off the floor. However, Curry's absence for 11 games due to injury between December 14th and January 7th saw others step up and rediscover their rhythm.
Thompson struggled with his shot before Curry's injury. He was converting a career-low 40.7% of his field goals until then. Since that stretch, Thompson has taken up the role of being one of two primary scorers alongside Jordan Poole. During that period, he has bagged 25.4 points per game on 45/41/92 splits across 11 games.
That's a positive sign for the Warriors. Klay Thompson has been an essential part of their success. If he can get closer to the level he was playing at before tearing his ACL, they will have a good chance at defending their title this season.
The Warriors will be hoping to enter the All-Star break on a positive note. They could use a break to resolve their problems and bounce back from their current string of poor performances.
