Takeaway: Thompson showed off his defensive skills against Clippers

Perhaps lost in the Mavericks’ 113-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night was Klay Thompson picking up a season-high four steals.

His previous best came on opening night when he collected three thefts against the San Antonio Spurs.

After Saturday’s game, coach Jason Kidd was asked about critics doubting Thompson’s defensive capabilities, and Kidd didn’t hold back.

“As much as we know we have a lot of critics that know how to play the game at a high level and are champions, they’re always going to have something to say,” Kidd said. “But (Thompson) just goes out there and plays the game the right way and does what it takes for his team to win.

“That’s just part of the nature of this business. Everybody wants to poke holes, but he comes to work every day, he understands the new system. I think he even said give him 25 games or 30 games so that he can understand what’s taking place here, and I think he has turned that corner and understands what we’re trying to do.”

Thompson’s teammates also came to his defense, adding that someone needs to hold the critics who doesn’t know what they’re talking about accountable.

“I feel like everyone is going to criticize him, criticize anybody if they do one thing wrong,” center Dereck Lively II said. “But they’re not going to congratulate him for the 12 things he does right.”

In addition to his defense, Thompson scored 16 points in 24 minutes against the Clippers and was 6-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-6 from downtown. Still, forward Naji Marshall said:

“That’s all people do is criticize. (Thompson) was just in the right spots (Saturday) and following the game plan, and it worked out for him.”

It worked out likely because Thompson is no stranger to having a defensive pedigree as part of his vast repertoire. He made the NBA All-Defensive second team in 2019 and has always been a noteworthy defender.

His four steals against the Clippers simply reinforced that.

“It puts his confidence through the roof,” Lively said. “He’s definitely been an asset for us on the defensive side. I’ve been able to talk to him, been able to try to help him understand our schemes, and he’s been doing great at it. He’s been doing it with a lot of effort and a lot of composure.”

Here are our other takeaways from the Mavs’ 16-point win over the Clippers.

GRIMES TOOK OVER: It only covered three minutes and three seconds of the fourth quarter. That’s the amount of time Quentin Grimes used to score 14 points, which blow open Saturday’s game and gave the Mavs a 95-80 lead with 7:13 remaining. During those 183 seconds, Grimes nailed three three-pointers and three free throws after he was fouled while hoisting another shot from downtown. He even was credited with a basket when his lob pass intended for center Dereck Lively II went through the basket and never found Lively.

IRVING CALMED THE WATERS: During Thursday’s 118-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Mavs’ top two floor generals – Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving – were both unable to play. Dončić was dealing with a left heel contusion, and Irving had soreness in his right shoulders. But while Dončić was also unable to play Saturday against the Clippers, Irving was back on the court, back showing his exceptional ball-handling and leadership skills, and back flawlessly directing traffic while scoring 15 points and distributing six assists.

YOU GET 10 POINTS, YOU GET 10 POINTS, YOU, YOU. . .: All eight members of the Mavs who played at least 17 minutes Saturday scored at least 10 points. The list includes Quentin Grimes (20), Klay Thompson (16), Kyrie Irving (15), Spencer Dinwiddie (15), Daniel Gafford (13), Naji Marshall (12), Dereck Lively II (11) and P. J. Washington (10). It’s the second time this season the Mavs had eight players score 10 or more points in a game. The Mavs are 13-1 this season when they have at least six players score 10 or more points in the same game.

X: @DwainPrice