National Basketball Association

Klay Thompson says Kevin Durant is not to blame for his current slump

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:46 p.m. ET

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Nunzio Ingrassia

The Golden State Warriors are still going through a learning curve after making some major offseason changes -- none bigger than the addition of Kevin Durant.

Through six games, one player appears to be having the most difficult time adjusting to the new-look Warriors -- one-half of the Splash Bros., Klay Thompson. One of the most lethal shooters in the game, Thompson is currently shooting career lows from the field (39 percent) and from deep (20 percent).

While many might point to Durant’s acquisition as the main culprit of Thompson’s struggles, the All-Star guard doesn’t believe that’s the case.

"Not at all," Thompson said Monday, via ESPN. "I struggled last year for the first 20 games and Kevin wasn't here. So it has nothing to do with Kevin."

But it’s not just Thompson who is having a tough time hitting from beyond the arc this season. The Warriors as a team are shooting just 30 percent from deep, a considerable drop-off from last season’s 42 percent clip.

Steph Curry even saw his 157-game streak of hitting at least one 3-pointer come to an end Friday night during the Warriors’ lopsided loss to the Lakers.

But Thompson doesn’t believe Durant, who is averaging 30 points while shooting 43 percent from deep, is the cause for his slump.

"So last year I struggled, then I went on a tear, so it's just like any other season," said Thompson said, who is averaging 15.8 points this season. "Obviously we have different players, but I'm still getting the shots I always got before he was here, so it's not on Kevin at all."

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