Klay Thompson did not expect his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks to feel so disappointing. Unfortunately for him, the second campaign in 2025/26 has continued where he left off.
The five-time All-Star arrived in Texas with excitement, high expectations and the belief that he could help form one of the most dangerous offensive trios in basketball.
But as injuries continue to rip through the roster, his tone has shifted into frustration and fatigue for Thompson, who gave a candid view on his time in Dallas so far.
“It’s not fun. I’m praying for a day, while I’m in this Mavericks uniform, that we can be whole,” Thompson said.
“We’ve been struck by injury bugs that whole time I’ve been here. I just can’t wait for us to be whole. It would be such a pleasant sight to see.”
The comments – emotional, honest and unfiltered – underline just how taxing the past few months have been on the team. The Dallas Mavericks entered the season believing they could compete with the Western Conference elite.
But instead of gaining momentum, they have been unable to keep a healthy rotation on the floor for any meaningful stretch.
For Thompson, who envisioned building chemistry with stars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the reality has been disjointed lineups, disrupted rhythm and a constant need to adjust on the fly. The core group he expected to play alongside has almost never been fully available.
Injuries dominate the Mavericks’ story
Every time the Dallas Mavericks appear close to stabilising, another setback hits.
Before it was Luka Doncic battling his own personal issues, then Kyrie Irving missed significant time. Key role players have been sidelined, and the revolving door has prevented the team from forming any true identity.
Klay Thompson has repeatedly been left trying to fit into lineups that change by the week – sometimes by the day. He admitted the constant roster turbulence has made it difficult for the team to build rhythm or execute consistently.
Those comments reveal how little stability he has experienced since joining the franchise. While Thompson is known for his ability to adapt and compete regardless of circumstance, even he recognises that no team can reach its ceiling with so many absences piling up.
The strain is not only physical, but mental. Being unable to build cohesion with Irving has stunted what could have been one of the most dangerous offensive combinations in the league.
Even in the limited stretches where all three have shared the floor, the glimpses of potential have been overshadowed by the fear that another injury may be just around the corner.
Thompson believes a healthy Mavericks team can still contend
Despite his frustration, Klay Thompson remains hopeful. He believes a fully healthy Dallas Mavericks team could compete at the highest level – but he is painfully aware that hope alone does not win games.
His optimism mirrors the belief held by the front office. If the Dallas Mavericks can finally keep their stars on the court at the same time, they possess the talent, scoring power and experience to challenge anyone in the West.
But until that day comes, the storyline remains the same: frustration, inconsistency and a veteran star who feels like he has yet to experience the team he signed up for.
Klay Thompson‘s words are a direct reflection of a franchise stuck between potential and reality. And as long as the injuries continue, it will not improve.
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