In a nice gesture, Dallas Mavericks' Klay Thompson was honored by the Golden State Warriors as he faced off against his former team. Standing on Chase Center court, the original Splash Brother watched a video tribute that chronicled his contributions over 13 seasons.
His former teammate Stephen Curry stayed in the tunnel, not allowing his emotions to get the better of him. Draymond Green had himself prepared earlier by watching the video and was all set. The crowd stood for a long period of applause as they acknowledged what Thompson meant to the Warriors.
Thompson Felt the Warm Welcome of the Dubs' Crowd
Fans in Chase Center sported captain's hats in honor of Thompson's love of boating and cheered him on as he took the court for his prep. Some wore his No. 11 jersey, indicating they hadn't let go of the old Warrior, ESPN writes.
Curry and Thompson caught a few glances during warm-ups, a cozy moment between the veteran teammates. Head coach Steve Kerr described the aura that immediately connected fans to Thompson, reflecting his deep bond with the Bay Area.
Ahead of the game, all Stephen Curry could say was that Thompson deserved the celebration that he would get from the Warriors during the most awaited night of their clash.
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Playing Against Former Team Was Surreal For Klay
Though he said beforehand it would be "just another regular-season game," Thompson said playing against his old team was surreal. Early in the game, the Mavericks set up a play specifically for Thompson against Curry, who playfully fouled him rather than letting him score.
Thompson ended with 22 points, including several three-pointers that had fans roaring. After one three-pointer, Thompson celebrated with Curry's signature shoulder shimmy, adding a fun, competitive edge to the night.
Curry vs. Thompson: All-Horizontal Gauntlet of Sunshine
Curry and Thompson played a playful game of one-upmanship throughout the game. After Curry sank an and-1 floater over Thompson, he gave him some friendly trash talk on the way down the court.
Green said it feels kind of interesting playing a close teammate because he's always trying to get the best of his good friend, so he pressed a little harder to win.
An Unforgettable Night for Thompson
Curry dominated Thompson, though the Warriors made a comeback into this game with the Chef leading them; he dropped all 12 points in the final minutes to conclude the game with a "Night, night" celebration, of course.
As soon as the buzzer sounded, Thompson hugged Kerr, Curry, and some of his former GSW teammates and trainers to end an emotional night, shaking hands with one of the fan-made captain's hats still around his neck as he left the court. It was a night full of memories inside the Chase Center.
Thompson Reflects on His Journey and Future Battles
Reflecting on the night, Thompson said that returning as an opponent indeed is a mix of feelings. He was grateful for the tribute and seemed excited about matchups in the future with his former team, embracing his journey that still continues in his career.
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