Is Klay Thompson playing tonight against Memphis Grizzlies? Exploring 4x NBA champion's status for preseason game (Oct. 7)

Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson will not be suiting up in the Dallas Mavericks' preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies (Oct. 7). Thompson is not listed among the Mavs injured players but being sat out in a preseason game is typical for veterans.

Aside from Thompson, it was also announced that guard Kyrie Irving will not play in tonight's game. Similar to Thompson, Irving is not dealing with any injuries. Both players are simply being given the night off to rest.

While Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving are healthy, there are several Mavs players who will miss the game due to injuries. After tonight's game against the Grizzlies, the Mavs have three more preseason games lined up, starting with the Utah Jazz on Thursday (Oct. 10).

Thompson will likely get his share of preseason action in one of these games to get him warmed up for the regular season.

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Klay Thompson talks about how he can contribute to another Finals run for the Dallas Mavericks

After spending the first 13 seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson is ready to begin his new chapter with the Dallas Mavericks.

As someone who has been to the NBA Finals six times, he brings a lot of championship experience to a team that fell short of one last season.

However, he brings more than just experience. Klay was asked during the Mavs media day about how he can help the team get back to the Finals and hopefully win.

"I think my game compliments the roster very well," Thompson said. "Especially from a perimeter scoring aspect, I think I'll help space the floor for guys like Luka (Doncic) and Kyrie (Irving) to do their thing, and just being here this week, and playing with our team and building chemistry with our big guys and our guards. Giving our offense kind of a whole new dimension."

Thompson also said that the reason he chose the Mavs is because he saw how close they were to winning a title and that he will do his best to help get the team there. (1:49-2:34)

Klay Thompson is a career 41.3% shooter from outside the arc. He has a quick release off the catch and he can occasionally put the ball on the floor to create space for himself.

Defenses will have to worry about Thompson doing damage from the perimeter. Add that to the fact that Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic draw plenty of attention with their wide array of offensive skills, and it becomes more difficult to stop the Mavs' offense.

If Thompson can tap the elite shooting that he used to help the Warriors win four titles, then the Mavs will be considered a legitimate threat to reach the Finals again.