Klay Thompson’s Sharpshooting Fuels Mavericks’ Victory Over Warriors in Chase Center Return: “It’s Always Special”

Dallas Mavericks star Klay Thompson has already cemented his legacy with four NBA titles and countless clutch moments in a Warriors uniform. But Sunday night’s return to Chase Center as a Dallas Maverick gave Thompson yet another chapter to reflect upon—and he made it count.

Thompson delivered a season-high 29 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including seven three-pointers, to lead the Mavericks to a 143-133 victory over the Golden State Warriors in a game that set an NBA record with 48 combined three-pointers. It was a night of reflection and dominance for the veteran sharpshooter, who continues to find his footing in Dallas.

Thompson has produced an impressive three-game stretch, averaging 22.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists after an initial return to competition following a five-game injury absence caused by left plantar fasciitis. He is up to 14.0 points per game on the season while shooting 39.1% from deep. Specifically, across these past three outings, he’s shooting 50.0% while taking 10.0 attempts per contest.

Klay Thompson Felt Settled and Steady

Unlike his first visit to Chase Center as a Maverick on Nov. 12—when hundreds of Warriors employees lined the hallway to greet him, and fans donned “Captain Klay” hats in tribute to his love of boating—Sunday night was quieter, but Thompson appreciated the more subdued atmosphere.

“It was way easier this time around,” Thompson said. “Especially not seeing all the captain’s hats. I saw a few, though, so that was cool. But it’s much easier, and I felt more settled in than I did the first time I was here.”

Thompson’s performance reflected his growing comfort. His three consecutive triples late in the fourth quarter helped Dallas stave off a furious Warriors rally, and his four free throws in the final minute sealed the game.

Head coach Jason Kidd praised Thompson’s ability to deliver in the game’s most critical moments.

“He was fired up, showed his emotion coming back here,” Kidd said. “Winning championships and being in a lot of battles with those guys on the other side. Again, just his confidence, to be able to make big shots in the rhythm of the offense, and then defensively, he was big for us.

“Just his comfort level, to understand playing with Luka (Dončić) and Ky (Kyrie Irving), it takes time,” Kidd continued. “But you can see that he’s getting comfortable, again he played great for us tonight.”

A Night to Reflect for Klay Thompson

Thompson’s return to the Bay Area wasn’t just about basketball—it was an opportunity to reflect on his 13-year journey with the Warriors organization. After arriving on Saturday, he revisited places with deep meaning, including his old neighborhood, Oracle Arena, and downtown Oakland.

“I went and drove by my old neighborhood, and I was able to go to my friend’s house in Oakland and have a great meal,” Thompson said. “I drove by Oracle (Arena). I drove by downtown Oakland, and it was very surreal because I was 21 years old when I came here. To see the city and the town again is always special. So many good memories.”

Seeing fans wearing his old Warriors number 11 jersey and being in front of familiar faces helped fuel Thompson’s performance. It was his third game of the season in which he scored 20 or more points, two of them against his former team.

“I love shooting at Chase Center. I mean, I’ve been lucky enough to set records here and have incredible memories, so I try to tap into that,” Thompson said. “Every time I’m back, it was just as fun as the first time I came back, especially seeing all the number 11 jerseys and seeing the young fans, seeing how much of an impact I was able to have while I was here. It makes me incredibly proud of what I was able to do.”

On the court, Thompson cherished the moments guarding his former Splash Brother, Stephen Curry, and vice versa.

“It’s different, but I’m getting more accustomed to it each time we face each other,” Thompson said. “We guarded each other plenty of times in practices and scrimmages, and you always cherish the moments you get to face the best players. It’s cool—I get to say I guarded Steph, just like I guarded Kobe (Bryant) and Kevin Durant. It’s another story I get to tell.”

Curry felt his former teammate, Thompson, played more freely than he did during the first time these two teams faced off at Chase Center this season.

“You could tell he was a little bit more free tonight, just probably emotionally and all the buildup,” Curry said.

Dallas Mavericks Teammates Take Note

Klay Thompson has already had a significant impact on his Mavericks teammates, both on and off the court. Luka Dončić, who led Dallas with a 45-point triple-double, marveled at Thompson’s ability to stay locked in and deliver in critical moments.

“Amazing, man,” Dončić said. “He couldn’t miss. Coming back here is special for him, always. It’s hard—you’ve been here your whole life and then come back and play against them. It’s hard but special at the same time. He played amazing today. We just need him to do this every game, and we can do it.”

P.J. Washington also praised Thompson’s work ethic and championship mindset.

“He’s in there every day, always getting shots up and working on his craft,” Washington said. “That consistency goes a long way. He brings that championship mentality, and it’s huge for us.”

A Historic Night of Shooting

The game was a spectacle of offense, with the Mavericks and Warriors combining for an NBA-record 48 three-pointers. Dončić, who added six threes of his own to go with 13 assists and 11 rebounds, emphasized the significance of winning despite Golden State’s record 27 made triples.

“No team could miss,” Dončić said. “They had 18 threes at halftime, and we were still up, which is insane. It felt like nobody could miss today. A lot of makes, but it was a physical game, too.”

The sharpshooting on display made Thompson proud, especially after recent commentary about the overemphasis of three-point shooting, referring to a game between the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls with a record 75 missed threes.

“That’s good because I saw what Charlotte and Chicago did (75 combined missed three-pointers), so it’s nice to counter that because a lot of fans think too many threes are being attempted so it was nice to show that shooting is still incredible in this league,” Thompson said. “I really believe as this game gets longer as far as years played, maybe there’ll be a four-point line one day.”

Thompson has embraced his role in Dallas’ offense, a departure from the motion-heavy system he thrived in at Golden State.

“With Golden State, it was more motion-based,” Thompson said. “Here, since we’ve got two such great shot creators in Luka and Kyrie, we play off them more. It’s on the rest of us to do the dirty work, provide defense, and make shots off the ball.”

As Thompson adjusts, he has gained a deeper appreciation for his superstar teammates.

“They can take over the game at any time they want,” Thompson said. “Luka is a magician with the ball in his hands. His shot-making and playmaking are ridiculous, especially for a guy his size. Kyrie is arguably the best one-on-one player in the league. I just try to space the floor for them, knock down shots, and play my role.”

What’s Next

Klay Thompson has provided a presence that has elevated the Mavericks, who are now 17-9 and firmly entrenched in the Western Conference playoff race. For Thompson, it’s about building chemistry with his new teammates and striving for the ultimate goal.

“This one was special,” Thompson said. “I’ve worked so hard to get back to this feeling, and it’s moments like these that make it all worth it.”

After playing 13 of their last 17 games on the road, the Mavericks will begin a four-game homestand on Thursday when they host the LA Clippers for a two-game mini-series at the American Airlines Center.