The Klay-Sized Hole: Warriors Struggling to Adapt Mid-Season (2025)

The Golden State Warriors’ dynasty, once largely defined by the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, has undergone significant shifts in recent seasons. Since the 2019-2020 campaign, injuries and roster changes have reshaped the team’s identity. The absence of Klay Thompson, now persisting halfway through the 2025 season, continues to cast a long shadow over the Warriors’ ambitions, leaving a noticeable hole in their offense and defense alike.

Klay Thompson was more than just a sharpshooter for the Warriors. He was a key element in their defensive schemes and a constant offensive threat who stretched defenses with his off-ball movement and catch-and-shoot ability. With his absence, the Warriors have faced several challenges — not just in scoring but in maintaining the cohesion that made them a perennial contender.

In this article, we will dive deep into the impact of Klay Thompson’s continued absence, how the team has adapted (or failed to), and whether the Warriors can stay competitive in the stacked Western Conference without their beloved shooting guard.

Klay Thompson: A Key Piece of the Warriors’ Success

To truly understand the extent of the void Klay Thompson has left, it’s essential to look back at the crucial role he played in the Warriors’ success over the years. Thompson, alongside Curry and Green, helped form one of the most potent trios in NBA history. Together, they revolutionized the game, turning Golden State into a global basketball powerhouse.

Klay’s impact wasn’t solely about scoring. He was a versatile defender who could guard multiple positions, contributing significantly to the Warriors’ defensive ratings. His ability to move without the ball, combined with his lightning-quick release on catch-and-shoot threes, allowed Curry to take on a more dynamic playmaking role. Meanwhile, Draymond Green’s defensive prowess and basketball IQ complemented the shooting of Curry and Thompson to perfection.

Thompson’s 3-and-D game provided the Warriors with both offensive spacing and defensive versatility. Even when Curry struggled with injuries or slumps, Klay was a reliable option to pick up the slack. His 37-point performance in a single quarter against the Sacramento Kings in 2015 is a testament to the type of shooting prowess he possessed — a lethal weapon that could turn the tide of a game in a matter of minutes.

The Injury and Its Ripple Effect

The 2025 season marks the continuation of Thompson’s long recovery from an Achilles injury and knee issues that have plagued him since the 2019 Finals. After missing two full seasons, Thompson made a long-awaited return for the 2022-2023 season, only to face further setbacks with his health, leading to an ongoing struggle to regain his pre-injury form.

This continuous injury history has created a lingering uncertainty surrounding his future contributions. The Warriors, with their championship aspirations, are desperate to fill the gap left by Thompson’s absence, but the road to recovery is proving more difficult than anticipated. Despite the team’s best efforts, the “Klay-sized hole” remains a major obstacle for the Warriors to overcome.

With Thompson sidelined, the Warriors have had to lean more heavily on their younger players and new acquisitions, hoping to find a balance between staying competitive this season while still navigating their future with the long-term hope of Thompson returning to form.

Scoring Issues: Can the Warriors Keep Up Without Klay?

One of the Warriors’ most glaring challenges this season has been their scoring efficiency without Klay Thompson. The team’s offensive rating has taken a dip in comparison to previous years when Klay was healthy. Thompson’s off-ball movement and deadly shooting kept defenses honest, often requiring opponents to double-team Curry or hedge hard on screens, which in turn freed up space for other shooters.

Without Klay, the Warriors’ offense has had to become more Curry-centric. While Stephen Curry remains one of the league’s most potent offensive forces, the absence of Thompson has led to a more predictable offense. Opponents can now focus almost entirely on Curry, with fewer concerns about getting burned by Klay’s rapid-fire shooting. As a result, Curry has faced more defensive pressure, and the Warriors’ offensive flow has been less fluid.

Moreover, the Warriors’ three-point shooting, historically one of their strengths, has seen a noticeable decline. While players like Jordan Poole and Moses Moody have stepped up to some extent, neither has consistently replicated the impact that Thompson had on the floor. Poole, known for his scoring ability, has proven to be inconsistent at times, and although Moody has shown flashes of potential, his shooting hasn’t yet reached the level needed to consistently take over the burden of floor spacing.

The Warriors have attempted to compensate for Thompson’s absence with a more motion-based offense, relying on ball movement and cutting to create open shots. However, this strategy has not always worked as effectively as the Warriors hoped, as the offense often lacks the necessary off-ball gravity that Klay would provide.

Defensive Challenges: Filling the Klay Void

While Klay Thompson’s offensive contributions are perhaps the most noticeable, his impact on defense is equally important. Klay was one of the league’s best two-way players, frequently tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player. His size, lateral movement, and quickness allowed the Warriors to put him on elite guards and wings, alleviating some of the pressure on Draymond Green.

With Thompson sidelined, the Warriors’ defense has struggled to maintain the same level of excellence. Green remains one of the best defenders in the NBA, but the lack of a second elite perimeter defender has been felt. Players like Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II have tried to step into the defensive gaps left by Thompson, but neither has the same combination of size and skill that Klay possessed. Wiggins, for all of his defensive ability, is not the same shot blocker or three-point shooter that Thompson was. Payton, while an elite on-ball defender, lacks the offensive versatility to truly replicate Klay’s two-way impact.

As a result, the Warriors have been forced to rely more heavily on team defense and rotational adjustments, but there is no question that the absence of Thompson has made it harder to guard opposing teams’ top offensive threats, particularly on the perimeter.

Who Has Stepped Up?

With Klay Thompson sidelined, the Warriors have seen a variety of players step into larger roles in an attempt to fill the gap. These players have had mixed success, with some showing promise while others have struggled under the pressure.

Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins has been one of the players expected to take on more responsibility in Thompson’s absence. As one of the team’s most versatile players, Wiggins has been asked to step up both offensively and defensively. On the offensive end, he has become more of a primary scorer, but his shooting consistency has been a bit erratic at times. Defensively, Wiggins has certainly improved, but he is not yet at the level that Klay was on that side of the ball.

Jordan Poole

Jordan Poole, a talented scorer, has been thrust into a more significant offensive role this season. While Poole’s offensive skill set is dynamic, including an ability to drive and score off the bounce, his shooting from beyond the arc has been inconsistent, and he has struggled to consistently provide the spacing that Klay did. Poole’s growth has been one of the brighter spots for the Warriors this season, but his overall efficiency is still not on the same level as Thompson.

Moses Moody

Moses Moody has had an up-and-down season, but he has shown signs of growth. His defense has been solid, and he has proven to be a capable shooter at times. However, like Poole, Moody is still finding his rhythm within the Warriors’ offensive system and has not yet developed the consistency needed to become a reliable contributor.

Other Role Players

The Warriors have also leaned on their other role players, such as Donte DiVincenzo, who has provided a steady hand defensively and has been a reliable contributor when healthy. However, none of these players have been able to truly fill the void left by Thompson in terms of shooting and defense.

Can the Warriors Compete for a Championship Without Klay?

As the 2025 season progresses, the Warriors remain competitive in the Western Conference, but their chances of competing for a title without Klay Thompson in peak form seem uncertain. Stephen Curry’s brilliance is undeniable, and Draymond Green’s leadership and defensive tenacity continue to make the team a formidable opponent. However, the Warriors are facing the reality that they may not have enough firepower or defensive versatility to keep up with the league’s elite teams, especially in a stacked Western Conference.

Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies have emerged as powerful contenders, with a blend of superstar talent and depth. The Warriors’ inability to replicate Thompson’s two-way impact leaves them vulnerable, particularly in matchups against these powerhouse teams.

Looking Ahead

The Warriors’ front office will continue to monitor Klay Thompson’s recovery and long-term prospects. His eventual return to the court is critical for the team’s championship hopes. The Warriors may need to be patient, hoping that Klay’s full recovery will allow him to return to his former self. Until then, the team’s younger players will need to continue developing, and the Warriors’ front office will need to consider whether they should make moves at the trade deadline to bolster their roster.

In conclusion, while the Warriors remain competitive halfway through the 2025 season, it’s clear that they still have a Klay-sized hole to fill. Without Klay Thompson’s elite shooting and defensive presence, the Warriors’ title aspirations have been put on hold — but with the leadership of Curry and Green, they remain a team to watch as the season progresses.