Klay Thompson's brutal benching clears Mavericks youngster's path to stardom

Klay Thompson's Bench Decision Opens Opportunity for Mavericks Rookie

Head coach Jason Kidd decided to move Klay Thompson to the bench, which benefits a young Dallas Mavericks player significantly. Despite a heavy loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, Kidd changed his starting lineup by choosing D'Angelo Russell over Thompson as a starter.

Off the bench, Thompson contributed 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, shooting 4-for-7 from the field in 21 minutes. Kidd's choice to bench Thompson indicates confidence in Max Christie maintaining his starting role even after Kyrie Irving returns from injury.

Max Christie's Emerging Role

At 22 years old, Christie has been a standout for the Mavericks this season, showing strong development from his summer work. He has become more aggressive attacking off closeouts, improved ball handling, and shoots nearly 50% from beyond the arc. While that shooting may not remain that high all season, Christie demonstrates polish and contributes in many ways, including effective cutting.

Starting Lineup Changes

This season marks Christie's fifth game in the starting five. Kidd promoted him after Dereck Lively II suffered a knee sprain in the third game against the Toronto Raptors.

"Kidd proving he wasn't reluctant to bench Thompson bodes well for Max Christie's hopes of staying in the starting lineup, even when Kyrie Irving returns from injury."

Author's summary: Jason Kidd's decision to bench Klay Thompson creates a clear path for young Max Christie to solidify his role as a key starter for the Mavericks moving forward.

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The Smoking Cuban The Smoking Cuban — 2025-11-06

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