Klay grateful for unforgettable comeback against Steph, Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – How many times have we seen this movie before? One fired shot lights the flame. The next deed sees flames turn to fire, ready to grow. Blink, and flames are fully developed, decaying all opposition in the way of the fire.
The right hand of Klay Thompson was impossible to extinguish when on a heater countless times during his 13 years with the Warriors. In his return to Chase Center On Tuesday night, playing the Warriors for the first time as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Thompson felt like it was when Steph Curry is on fire without answers for his hell.
“It hurts to be on the other side of one of his takeoffs,” Thompson said. “Guy got hot at the end and made some ridiculous shots. I know I’ve been on the other end, and it sucks.”
Curry scored the Warriors’ final 12 points in the last three-plus minutes of the The 120-117 victory of warriors against Thompson and the Mavericks, giving him a game-high 37 points, which was also a season-high for him.
For more than a decade, the duo of Curry and Thompson formed the largest back yard in NBA history. Four championships and many more unforgettable moments than that. Thompson saved his best for his former team as well, scoring 22 points and making six 3-pointers.
His first made bucket of the fourth quarter was a three at the 7:33 mark to give the Mavs a 103-102 lead. Fifty seconds later, Thompson’s driving layup again put Dallas up by one point, 105-104. The last shot he connected on was a three with just over five minutes remaining, pushing Dallas’ lead to five points, 110-105.
It was a surprise to many to see Curry start the game guarding his former teammate and forever Splash Brother, but it gave everyone great cinema on the Golden State stage.
Back and forth they went, with both getting the best of each other on different occasions, rekindling old memories.
“It was fun matching up with Steph,” Thompson said. “I mean, we guarded each other a lot 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.”
Hours before tipoff, it was clear this was more than just basketball. More than another regular-season game in November. More than business as usual.
Thompson did his best to downplay the emotions of his return before the night. There is no preparation for how he would respond, or what reception he was in for. He knew that every fan would receive a captain’s hat in his honor, representing his love for the water and unique personality away from basketball.
What he didn’t know is upon his arrival, approximately 400 Warriors employees would line up from the parking garage to the visitor’s locker room, wearing those hats and loudly cheering at his every step. That’s when the meaning of this special night hit him, holding back tears as best he could.
“That was really cool,” Thompson said. “Very grateful to the staff for giving me such love. That was really cool, and I’m very grateful for that. Very unexpected and definitely put a smile on my face. Something I will never forget. Kudos to the organization for making that happen, and it was a really great moment.”
About an hour before the start of the game, Thompson went through a jumping routine outside the Mavs’ locker room. He then sprinted out to the court to the sound of an eruption of Warriors fans, shooting at the same time as Curry, but on the opposite side of the court. Curry gave him looks, and Thompson admitted it was strange to see Steph warming up like the opposition.
That’s the nature of the business. The side that no player really wants to go through, and the part that the fans of the game wish wasn’t reality.
After being named last in the Mavs’ starting lineup, Thompson sat and watched the Warriors’ tribute video that lasted a little more than a minute. The video began with former NBA commissioner David Stern announcing Thompson’s name when drafted number 11 overall by the Warriors in 2011 and featured his long list of historic moments, ending with him celebrating Golden State’s championship in Boston.
The final message of the tribute was a sincere thank you, the two words everyone in the building and watching at home wanted to share. Thompson acknowledged the fans for an extended period of time, and then it was game on.
“I wanted to come in here with an open mind,” Thompson said. “It was a really great experience. I really appreciate the fans. The captain’s hat ended up being a great touch as I am such a passionate boater. I saw many familiar faces in the crowd, it was a heartwarming feeling.
“It was really cool to see the fans send gratitude to myself. It’s something I will never take for granted. It was very amazing.”
Steph starred as the superhero. Klay got the hero’s welcome he deserved. Whatever jersey number he wears, and whatever team he represents, Thompson warmly reminded that the Bay is forever his basketball home.
