Klay Thompson’s return to GS celebrated by fans like Steph Curry, Warriors beat Mavs | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the Emirates NBA Cup game on November 12, 2024 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this image, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Klay Thompson won a lot during his time with the Golden State Warriors and formed one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history with Stephen Curry.

Turns out, going against Curry isn’t all that fun.

Curry led his Warriors to a dramatic 120-117 victory over Thompson’s Dallas Mavericks in Tuesday’s NBA Cup group stage at the Chase Center. It was the latter’s first game against his former team as a visiting player, but the two-time MVP played the role of hero by going on a personal 10-0 run in the final four minutes.

He finished with 37 points, nine assists and six rebounds and rose to the occasion as he seemingly always does with a step-back triple in the final 30 seconds to seal the win. Golden State improved to 9-2 as a result, while the Mavericks fell to 5-6 with their third straight loss.

Thompson’s return was the story before Curry’s heroics, and he finished with 22 points, four rebounds and three assists on 6-of-12 shooting from deep. Luka Dončić also impressed, getting 31 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Still, social media was primarily focused on Thompson’s return:

Trae Young @TheTraeYoung

It’s weird.. Klay vs Steph!

Ramona Shelburne @ramona shelburne

This Warriors Mavs game is everything we wanted it to be

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell

The way the Warriors have publicly welcomed Klay back should be studied by every other professional team when a former star returns. Classical. Emotional. Fitting for a player who helped make the organization what it is today.

LO$O @LivinGoood_Loso

They show klay all this love tonight.. and he hooping just doing tonight

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina

Klay texting Steph is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen

A ✩ @adryanashton

Steph guarded Klay on the first possession and scored his first bucket on Klay
the writers couldn’t have made a better script than this

Vincent Goodwill @Vince Goodwill

There is some competitive heat with Steph and Klay. Steph hits a bucket over Klay as he gets fouled and looks over at Klay like he’s looking for him.
Klay has shimmed as has Steph.
Love, but competition!

Robbie Goodwin @robbiegoodwin

If you’re around my age and from the Bay Area, I don’t know how your two best bball players aren’t Steph Curry and Klay Thompson

JayBent @OlujuwonBabs

Klay Thompson deserves this hero’s welcome from the warriors fan. He is a legend forever. Thanks Clay.

claire de lune @ClaireMPLS

god i love this for klay

He may have been the adversary on Tuesday, but Golden State fans welcomed Thompson back with open arms.

Whether it was the pregame video montage of his most memorable moments with the Warriors, the rousing standing ovation when his name was announced or the captain’s hats in honor of “Captain Klay” worn by the crowd, it was nothing but well-deserved love.

That love came as anything but a surprise, as the future Hall of Famer will forever be a franchise legend who won four championships as a two-time All-NBA selection and five-time All-Star. He also battled through serious Achilles and ACL injuries that cost him the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, only to help deliver the 2022 title.

Half of the best shooting guard in NBA history along with his fellow Splash Brother in Curry, Thompson quickly became a fan favorite due to his ability to catch fire at a moment’s notice while playing lockdown defense at his best .

Fittingly, the Splash Brothers were in the spotlight right out of the gates. Curry pointed at Thompson after hitting a three over him, while Thompson responded with his former teammate’s signature shimmy after hitting back-to-back triples.

Bleacher Report @Bleacher Report

Steph pointed at Klay after hitting the triple over him
Had to let him know pic.twitter.com/euV9NhFXOe

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Steph shook his head after Klay shimmied while hitting back-to-back threes pic.twitter.com/ffgcuNdWzp

That shooting helped stake the Mavericks to a four-point halftime lead, though Dončić’s 22-point haul certainly helped as well.

Still, Golden State answered right back in the third quarter behind Curry’s individual brilliance. He mixed in his vintage outside shot, drove to the basket and made timely assists as defenders collapsed as the home team outscored Dallas by 11 to take a seven-point lead into the fourth.

Still, it felt inevitable that Thompson would have another memorable moment, and that moment came when he drained two three-pointers and a driving layup while playing solid defense on Curry in a three-minute span as the Mavericks took the lead heading into crunch.

It was the type of spark that Warriors fans got so used to seeing on their side for so many years, but they’ve also gotten used to Curry donning his Superman cape and saving the day.

That’s exactly what he did.