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Throughout his decade-long partnership with Stephen Curry as the Splash Brothers for the Golden State Warriors dynasty, Klay Thompson has gifted fans with countless unforgettable moments. From his Game 6 heroics to his barrage of three-pointers and stellar defense against the league’s elite scorers, Thompson’s contributions have been indelible.

However, those cherished memories felt distant as Thompson endured one of his most disappointing performances during a crucial moment. In what could potentially be his final game before an uncertain offseason of free agency, Thompson struggled, failing to convert any of his ten shot attempts in Tuesday night’s 118-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament.

“Everybody’s going to talk about one game,” Curry said. “I know he wanted to play better. … I know he’s a true champion. We all prepare ourselves to play our best when the lights are bright. When it doesn’t happen, nobody needs to tell you anything.

In the closing minutes of the defeat, Klay Thompson could be seen on the bench, his expression blank, perhaps contemplating what could have been his final moments donning a Warriors jersey. This marked a stark contrast from his rookie season, as he remained scoreless, registering the highest number of missed shots without a make in a playoff game by a Warriors player in at least five decades.

Thompson’s performance was a far cry from his illustrious past achievements, such as his remarkable 37-point third quarter against the Kings in 2015, his 60-point outburst against Indiana the following season, or his 11 three-pointers in Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference finals against Oklahoma City, a pivotal contribution that forced a decisive Game 7 and ultimately led to an NBA Finals appearance.

However, Thompson has struggled to reclaim his former glory after enduring catastrophic knee and Achilles injuries that sidelined him for two entire seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Despite returning to help the Warriors secure their fourth championship during this era in 2022, he faced challenges throughout the current season, including being benched in crucial late-game situations and temporarily relegated to a bench role.

Although he seemed to regain some form late in the season, his performance faltered against the Kings, culminating in the conclusion of his five-year, nearly $190 million contract. As he approaches free agency in July, the Warriors must weigh the value of retaining a 34-year-old whose prime years may be behind him due to significant injuries. Conversely, Thompson faces the decision of whether to accept a potential pay cut or explore opportunities elsewhere to conclude his career.

“We need Klay back. I know he had a tough night tonight,” coach Steve Kerr said. “I know I speak for everyone in the organization, we want him back. Obviously there’s business at hand and that has to be addressed. … But what Klay has meant to this franchise, as good as he is, we definitely want him back.”

Thompson has played a significant role in a franchise that clinched four championships and reached the Finals six times between 2015 and 2022. His 2,481 made 3-pointers in the regular season rank sixth in NBA history, while his 501 playoff treys surpass all players except Curry.

Following the game, Thompson did not address the media, but he is anticipated to speak on Wednesday as the team returns home, embarking on an uncertain offseason.

“He has a decision to make,” forward Draymond Green said. “He’s going to make the best decision for him. The team has a decision to make. They’ll make the best decision for the team. I don’t think there’s any scenario where Klay leaves and that’s the best scenario for this team of organization. … They did right by me. They’ve done right by Steph. They’ve done right by all of us.”

This season marked the first instance where the Warriors failed to make the playoffs with Curry, Thompson, and Green all healthy. Their 12 seasons together as teammates rank as the second-longest tenure for a trio in NBA history, trailing only the 14 seasons of San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.

“I can never see myself not with those two guys,” Curry said. “I understand this league changes and there’s so many things that go into it and we’re not going to play forever. But we experienced so much together. At the end of the day, I know they want to win and I know I want to win and that’s all I worry about.”