Mavericks’ Klay Thompson is reaping the benefits of the space created by Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving

MINNEAPOLIS – Klay Thompson led the NBA in catch-and-shoot field goal attempts last season with the Golden State Warriors, and he’s on pace to do the same in a Dallas Mavericks uniform.

Thompson has fit seamlessly into the Mavericks’ offense, which is ranked 15th in the NBA after three games. He leads the NBA in catch-and-shoot attempts with 9.3 per game. match. He is averaging 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals on 45% shooting from beyond the arc (15-of-33).

It’s only been three games, and despite the small sample size, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd attributed Thompson’s early success to the abundance of space created by guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

“That’s what he does,” Kidd said ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. “He understands that if he has to put the ball on the floor, if he has to pump fake, but right now he’s getting a lot of clean looks with the catch-and-shoot. Hopefully through the whole season – 50 games in – and he’s still in the top five. That means the quarterbacks are doing a great job and he’s getting a lot of space.”

Minnesota coach Chris Finch also addressed Dallas’ offense with Thompson joining Doncic and Irving’s backcourt.

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“It’s not about creativity, it’s about choosing what you want to do,” Finch said. “With Dallas, they have an incredible pick-and-roll game. Of course they have the Kyrie iso game and now they have the off ball game. They have become multi-faceted, which is what any team should be. They can switch gears to go to different things. It’s another weapon and you just have to try to stay attached to him, which is a full-time job.”