Klay Thompson’s Emotional Return to the Bay Ends in Record-Breaking Mavericks Victory
SAN FRANCISCO — For Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, his second trip back to the Bay Area as a visitor was a chance to soak in the nostalgia. This time, Thompson took a drive through his old East Bay neighborhood, enjoyed dinner at a friend’s house, and revisited familiar spots like downtown Oakland and the Oakland Arena, formerly known as Oracle.
“It was very surreal,” Thompson said about returning to face his former team, the Golden State Warriors, once again. “Because I was 21 years old when I came here, and to see The City and The Town is always special. So many good memories.”
But this wasn’t just a sentimental trip down memory lane. Thompson made his presence felt on the court, helping the Mavericks secure a 143-133 victory over the Warriors in a game that will go down in the record books. Thompson dropped 29 points, hitting 7 of 11 from beyond the arc, as part of a historic 3-point shootout. According to ESPN Research, the Warriors and Mavericks combined for 48 made 3-pointers, the most in a single game in NBA history.
A Modern NBA Shootout
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was left shaking his head at the stat sheet after the game. “We gave up 46 [points] in the first quarter, and we’re playing upstream the rest of the way,” Kerr said. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a box score like this. We go 27-for-54 from 3, 39 assists, 10 turnovers, and it felt like we were never really in the game.”
Kerr continued, “We cut it to five a couple times, guys kept fighting, but they controlled the entire game on a night where we made 27 3s and didn’t turn the ball over. It’s a modern NBA, it’s a different world, it’s a different game. And 10 years ago, you see that kind of offensive stat sheet for the team, I’d say we win that game by 20, maybe 30.”
While the Warriors struggled to keep up, Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic was unstoppable. Doncic finished with a jaw-dropping stat line: 45 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. The Warriors simply had no answer for him.
Klay’s Comfort Zone
Thompson, meanwhile, looked far more comfortable in his second game back at Chase Center. After receiving a warm ovation from the home crowd during the visitor’s starting lineup announcement, he delivered a stellar performance, shooting 9-of-14 overall and showcasing the sharpshooting skills that made him a fan favorite in the Bay Area.
It was a stark contrast to his first return to Golden State on November 12, when emotions ran high. That night, the Warriors celebrated Thompson’s contributions to their four championships with a heartfelt tribute. Employees lined the ramp where the visiting team enters Chase Center, tipping their captain’s hats—a nod to Thompson’s love of sailing. Fans in the arena joined in, donning captain’s hats distributed for the occasion. Despite the love, Thompson’s Mavericks fell short in a 120-117 loss, with Thompson scoring 22 points on 7-for-17 shooting, including six triples.
This time, the atmosphere was more subdued. “Way easier,” Thompson said of his second game against his old team. “Especially not seeing all the captain’s hats. I saw a few of those. Much easier. Felt more settled in than the first time I was out here.”
Trending in Opposite Directions
The Mavericks are on a roll, winning 12 of their last 14 games. Meanwhile, the Warriors, who started the season 12-3, have hit a rough patch, losing eight of their last 10 games. Help is on the way for Golden State, though, as they recently acquired point guard Dennis Schroder in a trade. The deal became official on Sunday, and Schroder is expected to join the team after completing his physical and participating in practice on Tuesday.
With Thompson now in Dallas, the Warriors have been searching for another scorer to complement Stephen Curry. For Thompson, life with the Mavericks means adjusting to a new role and even guarding his former teammate when the two teams meet. The next matchups between the Mavericks and Warriors are scheduled for February, giving fans more opportunities to see the two stars face off.
“It’s different, but I am getting more accustomed to it with each time we face each other,” Thompson said of guarding Curry. “We guarded each other plenty of times in practices and scrimmages. You always cherish the moments you get to face the best players. It’s cool I get to say I guarded Steph like I guarded Kobe [Bryant] and KD [Kevin Durant]. It’s another story I get to tell.”
Key Takeaways
- The Mavericks and Warriors combined for 48 made 3-pointers, setting an NBA record.
- Luka Doncic dominated with 45 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds.
- Klay Thompson scored 29 points in his second return to Golden State, looking more comfortable than his first visit.
- The Warriors are struggling, losing eight of their last 10 games, but hope to turn things around with the addition of Dennis Schroder.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these two teams to see how their paths unfold. For now, Thompson’s return to the Bay was a reminder of his legacy—and a glimpse of his bright future with the Mavericks.
Originally Written by: Kendra Andrews
