Inside Klay Thompson’s Emotional Return to Golden State in New Mavericks Role
Klay Thompson’s emotional return to Golden State featured tributes and intense competition, but Stephen Curry’s clutch play led the Warriors past the Mavericks in a thrilling finish.
SAN FRANCISCO – Tuesday night at Chase Center was a bittersweet spectacle for Klay Thompson as he returned to the arena he called home for 13 years. Wearing a Dallas Mavericks jersey for the first time in front of the Golden State crowd, Thompson was welcomed back as if he’d never left. Despite a night that celebrated his unforgettable career with the Warriors, the game dealt the Mavs with another disappointing clutch loss—the third in a row—as Stephen Curry’s late-game heroics handed them a narrow 120-117 defeat.
The night began with a nod to “Captain Klay.” Hundreds of Warriors employees lined the hallway to the visitors’ locker room, each wearing captain’s hats—a tribute to Thompson’s boating tradition across the Bay. As he entered, fans in the stands echoed the sentiment, many of them also wearing matching hats and his old No. 11 jersey. Some held signs that read, “Thank You, Klay,” honoring the memories he created in Golden State.
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When Thompson took the floor for warmups, the arena erupted in cheers, welcoming back the player who had given them so much over 13 seasons. He was introduced as a Mavericks starter to a loud ovation from the home crowd full of his fans who watched him grow into one of the greatest shooters in NBA history along the way to four championships. Standing mid-court, Thompson watched a tribute video highlighting his journey and greatest moments, including championship celebrations and unforgettable performances.
As familiar faces like Andre Iguodala and other former teammates cheered from inside the arena, Thompson’s face reflected the emotions, visibly moved by the outpouring of appreciation from the Chase Center faithful. “It was a really cool experience,” Thompson said afterward. “The captain’s hat ended up being a great touch because I’m such a passionate boater. Seeing the fans’ gratitude—it’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
Thompson Battles with Curry
Yet, Thompson wasn’t in San Francisco to reminisce. He showed his competitive fire from the opening tip, stepping right into his former role as a reliable sharpshooter. His first matchup of the night was against none other than Stephen Curry. Dallas called a post-up play for Thompson on their first possession, allowing him to go one-on-one with his longtime teammate and friend. A smiling Curry later admitted, “I blacked out on that one. I wasn’t going to let him score.”
Thompson finished with 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc, tying his season high for scoring and threes. At one point in the second quarter, Thompson drained back-to-back threes, throwing in a shoulder shimmy that Warriors fans know well. “It was an impromptu thing,” Thompson laughed. “I know Steph’s done it many times, so it was a fun, playful thing to do.”
An Emotional Ending
In the fourth quarter, as the Mavericks built a seven-point lead with under four minutes left, Thompson seemed poised to spoil his former team’s night. His eight-point burst, complete with a transition three that gave Dallas the lead, had the Mavs bench fired up and gave Dallas the momentum to pull off what would have been a signature win. But when the game turned into a duel in the final minutes, Curry closed it.
With under 30 seconds left and the game on the line, Curry got his shot against Dereck Lively II. A quick step-back three from the top of the arc found the net, putting Golden State up three and sending Curry into his “Night Night” celebration. He grabbed his jersey, yelled into the camera, and shared a chest bump with Buddy Hield. After the game, Curry joked about his celebration, saying, “It was a little premature, but thankfully, I’m still undefeated on the ‘Night Night.’”
For Thompson, watching Curry take over from the other side was a painful reminder of their countless wins together. “It hurts to be on the other side of one of his flurries,” Thompson admitted. “The guy got hot at the end and made some ridiculous shots. I know I’ve been on the other end, and it sucks.”
Reflections from a New Home
After the final buzzer, Thompson walked the familiar court, exchanging hugs with old teammates and staff before returning to the visitors’ locker room. He was candid about the experience, acknowledging the surreal nature of competing against the team he helped lead to four championships.
“Change happens,” Thompson said. “It’s happened to plenty of great players who’ve won championships together. But yeah, it was surreal and a night I’ll never forget. Unfortunately, it was a tough loss. Could have easily gone our way…but that’s life.”
For the Mavericks, Thompson’s return represented more than a sentimental moment for Warriors fans. His sharpshooting and presence were a testament to why Dallas pursued him coming off an NBA Finals appearance. And while the game ended in a loss, Thompson’s impact on this Mavericks squad is already palpable.
A New Chapter with Dallas
As the Mavericks left Chase Center, Thompson knows they’ll return for more battles in the months ahead while his goal remains to win his fifth championship. He’s eager to see his former team again but instead get a victory. “I think we’ll see the Dubs three more times,” he said. “So there’s plenty more battles ahead, which is the fun part.”
The Mavericks’ next matchup against the Warriors will occur on Wednesday, February 12, at the American Airlines Center.
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