‘Perfectionist' Klay grateful to get slumps over early

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sometimes a win can end with a sour taste in your mouth. That was the case Sunday at Chase Center when the Warriors nearly blew a 26-point lead, holding on for a 130-125 win over the Sacramento Kings

Among the most visibly frustrated Warriors was Klay Thompson. He could be seen sitting by himself at the end of the bench staring into the abyss, or tossing his foam cushion to the side and squating on the floor in annoyance. Though he gave a strong defensive effort, Thompson struggled with his picturesque shot. 

In the win, Klay scored only eight points. While the Warriors' offense exploded in the first half, he was pushing to join the party. It never happened. He went 3-for-10 from the field and 2-for-7 on 3-point attempts. 

As Thompson continues to take a big-picture approach, he was all smiles Tuesday at Arizona State University after the Warriors' shootaround before their game against the Phoenix Suns. Why? He finally gets to play October basketball again, going through slumps here and there when pressure isn't even a thought yet. 

"It's so nice, oh my gosh," Thompson said. "I can't even ... yeah, man. Especially when you feel like you're the reason your team goes through a slump. So it's nice to get that out the way early. That really helps me put things into perspective." 

Thompson waited 941 days between Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals and making his return from two season-ending leg injuries on Jan. 9, 2022. He waited and waited and waited some more. There have to be days, nights and games where he feels like he's making up for lost time. 

Plus, he wants to prove to himself and to everybody else that he still is the same elite All-Star player. The process isn't always fun to trust. 

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On a daily basis, he's reminding himself that it's all worth it.

"I'm such a perfectionist, I want to be great right now," he continued. "But I got to realize, man, it's a long season. I'd rather peak come playoff time rather than early November or into January." 

It also doesn't help that he still is on a minutes restriction. Thompson played 19 minutes in the season opener. That number increased to 23 in the Warriors' second game and 27 in their third. In his last full season, 2018-19, Thompson averaged 34 minutes per game. 

Before being sidelined for two-and-a-half years, he gave the Warriors three straight seasons of playing at least 34 minutes per night. He also only missed 25 regular-season games over his first eight years with the Warriors. 

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Through the Warriors' first three games, Thompson feels "really good" physically. The 32-year-old veteran also knows he has another level to reach with his conditioning, which he fully believes will come much sooner than later. After putting his faith in the hands of Rick Celebrini and the rest of the Warriors' training staff, and seeing the result be a fourth championship ring, Thompson continues to be on board with whatever they feel he can handle. 

For Thompson to take that next step, he's more focused on the mental side of it all to co-exist with his physical ability. One doesn't work without the other. 

"I think it's mental," Thompson said. "Don't get discouraged with missed shots or missed rotations on defense. Just being a continuous player. Sometimes when you come back from injury, you get in your own way. 'Ahh, I might not be the same player. I might not do this or do that.' 

"But you just got to be grateful to be out there competing. When I play with that mindset, everything else flows so easily. That's what I look forward to tonight." 

The Splash Brother was at ease with the music blaring and buckets swishing left and right. Hours later, he'll look to let his game do all the talking in the Warriors' first road contest of the season.

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