Chuck’s Daily Check In

Klay Thompson was on the bench down the stretch of the Golden State Warriors loss at the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Thompson said it felt “strange” to be on the bench in the clutch, but that it was “deserved”.

Thompson said, “I’ve been playing like crap” when asked about not being in the game late. He said Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t give him an explanation for the benching, but that he doesn’t need one either.

“I trust Steve. I trust Steve now and forever will,” Thompson said.

The veteran guard is in the midst of the worst season of his career. Thompson is shooting under 40% from the field for the first time, as he’s at 39.7% on the season. Thompson is also at a career-worst from behind the arc at 34.3%. That’s led to the long-time Warrior averaging 15.4 points, which is Thompson’s lowest mark since his rookie season.

Nikola Topic, a potential top-five pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, suffered a left knee injury on Monday. Topic was injured on a non-contact play after an awkward landing following making a pass. An MRI showed Topic suffered a sprained knee.

Topic is expected to miss the remainder of the ABA Finals due to the injury. Topic is expected to be a full participant in workouts in June, ahead of the draft.

The 6-foot-6 point guard was injured in Game 1 of the Adriatic League finals. Topic had returned to Crvena Zvezda after spending the early part of the season playing for Mega Bemax.

Topic is considered a top-five pick by most draft experts. Some even have him in consideration to go as high as the second pick. The 18-year-old missed four-and-a-half months earlier this season with an injury to same knee he injured on Monday.