While seeing Klay Thompson wear a Dallas Mavericks uniform still takes some getting used to, watching him square off against his former team is even stranger. But on Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors welcomed Thompson and the Mavericks to town for the first game of group play in the 2024 NBA Cup.
Thompson’s return to the Bay Area featured a much-deserved tribute from the Warriors and a standing ovation that was just as memorable during pregame introductions. After the game tipped off, though, it was business as usual for all parties.
This included Thompson showing his former teammate and close friend Stephen Curry some love in a unique fashion after hitting back-to-back 3-pointers.
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson during his return to face his former team, the Golden State Warriors.
Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Thompson gave a tip of the cap to Curry by doing his famous shimmy celebration, which drew a great response from the Warriors star on the sidelines.
It was a cool moment from Thompson, who had played every game of his NBA career with the Warriors since the franchise drafted him No. 11 overall in 2011.
Thompson and Curry won four championships together and earned the nickname the “Splash Brothers” after becoming one of the most lethal shooting duos in NBA history.
Thompson played in 793 regular-season games over his 13 years with the Warriors, averaging 19.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. He shot 41.3% from 3-point range over that span and knocked down 40.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc during 158 playoff games with the franchise.
