Klay Thompson returned to his old stomping grounds at Chase Center, now donning Dallas Mavericks blue. But the night wasn’t about loyalty—it was about nostalgia, competition, and some friendly rivalry. Steph Curry made sure of that, putting on a show and rallying the Warriors to a 120-117 victory, ultimately overshadowing his former teammate’s homecoming.
A Warm Bay Area Welcome for Klay
Thompson’s journey back was paved with applause and cheers as around 400 Warriors staff lined up to greet him. Clearly touched, Thompson shared, “That was really cool. Totally unexpected and definitely put a smile on my face. Something I’ll never forget.” Fans sported “Captain Klay” hats, a nod to the quirky hat Thompson wore during the 2022 championship celebrations, and video tributes played throughout the arena, honoring the impact he made over 13 unforgettable years in Golden State.
Before tip-off, he and Curry shared a heartfelt embrace, and the Warriors capped the player introductions with a special message: “Thank you #11, Thank You Game 6, Thank You Captain, Thank You Splash Brother, Thank You Klay.” The emotions ran deep, and so did the competitive spirit.
On-Court Rivals, Off-Court Brothers
It didn’t take long for the former Splash Brothers to clash—15 seconds, to be exact, as Curry fouled Thompson, setting the stage for Thompson to score the first points of the night. “I blacked out on that one,” Curry said with a laugh. “I wasn’t going to let him score, so I fouled him. It was a pretty special night.”
The friendly rivalry fueled both stars, and Thompson scored 22 points, giving Mavericks fans a glimpse of what he brings to the team. But Curry took it to another level, dropping 37 points and scoring Golden State’s last 12 points to rally the team to victory. His celebration was unforgettable, as he screamed into a camera after sinking a clutch three-pointer that sealed the game.
The Heart of a Champion
The night was bittersweet for Warriors fans who’ve seen Thompson battle through two serious injuries—a torn ACL and Achilles—before returning in 2022 to help the team claim another championship. After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke on Thompson’s perseverance, noting, “What he overcame is almost unprecedented. We all saw him struggle and fight to get his game back, and he did amazing things. We wished this could go on forever, but he deserves to be happy.”
It may not have ended with a win for Klay, but the love he felt from Warriors fans and his ex-teammates was as clear as ever.
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