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Klay Thompson returned to the Bay Area on Tuesday night, but despite his emotional homecoming, it was still Stephen Curry's stage to shine .As Thompson walked into the Chase Center, he was met with an outpouring of love from Warriors fans, who lined his path from the team bus to the locker room, waving Captain Klay sailor hats and cheering. A four-time champion with Golden State, Thompson was deeply moved by the warm reception, and the moment was made even more special with a video tribute from the fans. Golden State Warriors defeated Dallas Mavericks 120-117.
When the game began, Thompson quickly reminded everyone that he could still light it up from beyond the arc. He finished the night with 22 points and hit six 3-pointers, including one where he flashed a signature Curry shimmy that had Curry himself chuckling.
However, the Mavericks, despite a strong performance from Luka Dončić — who posted 31 points and 8 rebounds — were unable to hold on to a seven-point lead with under four minutes to play. That's when Curry took control.
Curry's magic
Stephen Curry scored the Warriors' final 12 points, including a crucial driving layup to give Golden State the lead. He sealed the game with a 3-pointer over the outstretched arms of Dallas' Derrek Lively, proving once again why he's one of the greatest to ever play the game. Curry finished with 37 points, leading the Warriors to a 120-117 victory. Jonathan Kuminga also contributed with 16 points off the bench, helping to balance the Warriors' attack.Thompson, who finished with 22 points on the night, acknowledged the challenge of facing his former team. While he was disappointed with the loss, he reflected on how it felt to be on the other side of a Curry hot streak.
“It hurts to be on the other side of one of his flurries, The guy got hot at the end and made some ridiculous shots. I know I’ve been on the other end, and it sucks," Thompson admitted.
The Duo
For more than a decade, Thompson and Curry formed one of the most formidable backcourt duos in NBA history, winning four championships together and creating countless unforgettable moments. In his return to Golden State, Thompson came out firing, scoring 22 points and knocking down six 3-pointers. His clutch shots in the fourth quarter helped Dallas regain the lead multiple times, including a 3-pointer at the 7:33 mark that gave the Mavs a 103-102 advantage, and a driving layup shortly after that pushed Dallas to a 105-104 lead. Thompson’s final shot came with just over five minutes left, a 3-pointer that put the Mavs ahead 110-105.
It was a rare and emotional sight to see Curry guarding Thompson at the start of the game. Both players, who had faced off countless times in practice and at Team USA camps, were now battling on opposite sides in an actual NBA game.
“It was fun to match up with Steph. I mean, we guarded each other plenty of times in practice, the Team USA camp and All-Star Games. A real competitive NBA game was pretty surreal, but after a few minutes it was just basketball," Thompson added.
As the game tipped off, it was clear this wasn’t just another regular-season matchup. Thompson had tried to downplay the emotions leading up to the game, but the reality of his homecoming hit him hard when he arrived at the arena. Upon walking into the Chase Center, he was greeted not only by fans but by around 400 Warriors employees lining the hall from the parking garage to the visitor's locker room, all wearing the iconic captain's hats in his honor and cheering for him. The emotional moment caught Thompson off guard, and he struggled to hold back tears.
"That was really cool, Very grateful for the employees to give me that kind of love. That was really cool, and I’m very grateful for that. Very unexpected and definitely put a smile on my face. Something I’ll never forget. Kudos to the organization for making that happen, and that was a really cool moment," Thompson concluded.
Though Thompson’s return to Chase Center may have been filled with nostalgia and emotion, the night ultimately belonged to Curry, who led the Warriors to another thrilling victory.
