Klay Thompson returned to the Bay Area on Tuesday night for the first time since leaving the Golden State Warriors.
Although he had his best game of the season, it was not enough to lead the Dallas Mavericks to victory to open the NBA Cup. The Golden State Warriors, behind a powerful shot from Stephen Curry, won late 120-117. Curry went on a solo 10-0 run late in the fourth quarter to put the Mavericks away, and he exploded with fans at Chase Center at the end of it.
Thompson finished with 22 points, matching his season high, and shot 6 of 12 from behind the arc. He added four rebounds and three assists as well.
Thompson and the Mavericks first arrived at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tuesday afternoon, and he quickly received a tremendous reception from fans in the arena and from those who were waiting outside when he arrived.
The game was called “Salute Captain Klay” night, and fans received a white captain’s hat with the Warriors logo in honor of Thompson — who used to take a boat to games when he played for the Warriors. The team also played a tribute video before the game, and Thompson received a standing ovation on the field.
Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks last season. That officially ended his stellar career with the Warriors, who produced four championships over eight seasons. The Warriors selected Thompson with the No. 11 overall pick in 2011 out of Washington State, and he quickly became a fan favorite in the Bay Area and an important part of the Warriors dynasty alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as other pieces came and went.
Although he said he still cherishes the run he had with Golden State to start his league career, Thompson is simply focused on putting things behind him for now.
“That chapter is over,” Thompson told Andscape’s Mark J. Spears on Sunday. “I’m in the middle of trying to win here. There’s no point in missing out on anything when we have a great opportunity here to be great. There’s no point in looking back…I have to look forward. I have to try to do my best here.”
Thompson averaged 17.9 points per game last season with Golden State, his worst performance in more than a decade. He shot worse than 40% from beyond the arc for only the second time in his career as well. Thompson left the Warriors ranked sixth in total points scored in team history, fourth in games played and second only to Stephen Curry in 3-pointers made. He also holds the NBA record with 14 three-pointers made in a single game, which he set with the Warriors in 2018.
The 34-year-old entered Tuesday’s game averaging 13.8 points and 3.7 rebounds with 2.9 3-pointers per game so far this season in Dallas. While players don’t always get a warm reception on their first few trips back to their old arenas, Thompson is clearly still in a good place with the Warriors fan base.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Sunday, via Spurs. “I think we all are. It’s going to be very emotional. I know our fans are ready for it and can’t wait to see Clay.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the loss, which dropped to 5-6 on the season. Kyrie Irving added 21 points, and Daniel Gafford added 15 points and six rebounds. Dallas opened the fourth quarter on a 23-9 run before Curry rebounded to end the game.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 37 points and nine assists. He made 5 of 12 from the three-point line. DeAnthony Milton added 14 points, and Buddy Hield finished the match with 14 points as a substitute. The Warriors now sit at 9-3 on the season after the win, their second straight. They will host the Memphis Grizzlies next Friday.
