Klay strangely played down the prospect of returning to face the Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
If Klay Thompson looking forward to facing the Warriors on Tuesday night at Chase Center, the Dallas Mavericks guard is doing a great job of hiding it.
The Warriors franchise icon is making his highly anticipated return to the Bay Area this week, and while the Warriors and Dub Nation are making a big deal out of the occasion, Thompson isn’t buying into the hype.
“It’ll be good to see people you’ve been grinding with obviously, but to me, it’s just another regular-season game in November,” Thompson told reporters after the Mavericks’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. “Obviously, there are bigger implications with the NBA Cup. So, that’s what’s in my mind, just to win that because I haven’t been part of it yet. I know it’s young but before to play for that title. “
Asked Klay Thompson about his return to San Francisco on Tuesday for his first game against the Warriors:
“It’ll be good to see people you’ve been grinding with obviously, but for me, it’s just another regular season game in November.” pic.twitter.com/Kf9KkUwfNP
– Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) November 11, 2024
Everyone in the Bay Area circled on November 12th on the calendar when the schedule was released this summer, and emotions are sure to run high when Thompson takes the court for pregame warmups, is introduced to the crowd before tip-off and whenever he touches the ball during the game.
But Thompson isn’t worried about having to compartmentalize his emotions.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Thompson told reporters. “And basketball is basketball.”
Thompson’s longtime Splash Brother, Steph Curry, had a much different reaction when asked on “Warriors Postgame Live” about his former teammate’s return.
“Don’t do this to me,” Curry told Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli afterward Golden State’s 127-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. “Don’t do this to me. I’m not ready for this man. It’s going to be a lot to look forward to and I’m excited to see him, obviously as a friend. But I’m trying to save all. of my mental energy for Tuesday because it’s going to be a lot.”
To celebrate Thompson, the Warriors announced Friday that they will give the attendees a captain’s hat with the logo of the team on it.
Thompson didn’t seem enamored of the Warriors’ gift.
“I guess it’s a good thing for the fans,” Thompson said. “So, congratulations to them.”
The four-time NBA champion wanted a fresh start after contract negotiations with the Warriors broke down this past summer, but he had a rough start in Dallas.
The 34-year-old is averaging 13.8 points per game on 41.8 percent shooting from the field and 35.4 percent from 3-point range through the first 10 contests of the 2024-25 season.
If those shooting percentages hold for the rest of the season, they would be the worst of Thompson’s likely Hall of Fame career.
The defending Western Conference champion Mavericks were sure Thompson was the missing piece — he still could be — but they got off to a slow start, entering Tuesday’s game with a 5-5 record, having lost their last two games.
It’s clear Thompson wants to move past Tuesday’s game and that might be what he and the Mavericks need to get back on track.
