Klay Thompson’s Return to the Bay: ‘Basketball is Basketball’ as He Faces Warriors in NBA Cup Opener

Reflecting on the upcoming game, Thompson remains focused, treating the night as another opportunity to compete. “It’ll be good to see people I grinded with, obviously,” he said recently, “but to me, it’s just another regular season game in November. Of course, there are bigger implications with the NBA Cup, so that’s what’s on my mind. I want to win that because I haven’t been a part of it yet.”

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“Captain Klay Night”: Honoring a Legend’s Legacy

Golden State has organized “Captain Klay Night” to honor Thompson, celebrating his time with the Warriors and his love for the Bay. Fans will receive sailor hats as a nod to Thompson’s boating tradition, and a tribute video will showcase some of the moments that defined his 13 years with the team. The gesture reflects the unique bond he built with Dub Nation, and for Thompson, it’s a thoughtful tribute, even if he downplayed its impact. “I guess it’s a good thing for the fans, so kudos to them,” he said.

For Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who shared years of triumph and challenges with Thompson, Tuesday night’s tribute is fitting for the player he called “a Warrior for life.” During his time coaching Team USA this summer, Kerr said about Thompson’s legacy in Golden State: “Klay is going to have a statue outside Chase someday … he’ll be beloved by his teammates, coaches, and our fans forever.” Kerr’s words reflect the depth of Thompson’s impact, which goes far beyond his four championships or his NBA-record 37 points in a quarter.

Preparing to Face His Former Team

In discussing his preparation for Tuesday, Thompson shared insight into how his familiarity with the Warriors’ system could be valuable to the Mavericks. “Probably to share my knowledge with my teammates and coaches and try to limit what they do well,” he explained. “They’re a high-volume three-point shooting team and switch a lot on defense, so we’ll go into Tuesday trying to counteract those two aspects.” His experience with Golden State gives him an understanding of their strengths and tendencies, which he’s eager to pass on to his new team.

While this is a special night for Thompson, he approaches it with his usual professionalism. “I don’t think it’ll be difficult to compartmentalize,” he shared. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and basketball is basketball.”

Support from Teammates and Friends

Kyrie Irving, Thompson’s teammate with the Mavericks and a key figure in his recruitment to Dallas, spoke from experience on the emotions involved in facing former teams. “I think the biggest thing is just the human aspect of emotions. It’s just gonna be haywire, man,” Irving said. “Outside of that, it’s just all about having fun and being able to look some of your old fans in the face and tell them thank you.”

Stephen Curry, who spent over a decade alongside Thompson as the other half of the “Splash Brothers,” expressed his own mixed feelings ahead of the game. “Don’t do this to me,” Curry said with a grin on Warriors Postgame Live. “I’m not ready for this, man. It’s going to be a lot to look forward to, and I’m excited to see him, obviously as a friend. But I’m trying to conserve all of my mental energy for Tuesday because it’s going to be a lot.”

Reflecting on the Recent Game and Staying Focused

After a close loss against Denver, Thompson’s recent comments showed his readiness to pivot and compete with his new team against Golden State. “We didn’t shoot the ball well from three,” he said, acknowledging his one-for-six night from deep. “I was a big part of that … but basketball is a funny game. You know, if one or two of those go in, we’re not losing by two. It was tough out there, but we’ll be better on Tuesday.”

The upcoming NBA Cup game gives Thompson a meaningful setting to face his former team while shifting his focus toward a new championship goal. “There are bigger implications with the NBA Cup, so that’s what’s on my mind. I want to win that because I haven’t been a part of it yet,” he shared.

A Tribute to Resilience and Connection

For Warriors President Brandon Schneider, Tuesday’s tribute acknowledges the unique relationship Thompson cultivated with Dub Nation. “With Klay, it’s not the records or championships or clutch shots that stand out the most from the last 13 years — it’s the truly unique relationship he developed with the Bay Area and our fans,” Schneider said. “He embraced Dub Nation, and Dub Nation embraced him back. It’s only fitting that they get a chance to show their love and salute him in his return to the Bay.”

For Thompson, Tuesday night is a moment to honor his past, focus on the present, and embrace a future where his connection to Golden State remains deeply valued. “It’s all good,” he said, smiling. “I’m embracing it. You only get to do one thing so many times in your life.”

As he steps onto the Chase Center court in a Mavericks jersey, Thompson’s presence will celebrate resilience, loyalty, and the joy he brought to Dub Nation. It’s a night that will honor the memories he created while fans and friends get the chance to say “thank you” to a player who helped shape the Warriors’ dynasty — a Warrior at heart, now ready to write a new chapter.

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