“I hope you didn’t believe him.” With a little smirk, Stephen Curry was amused by the release of Klay Thompson. Before challenging the Golden State Warriors last night, the Dallas Mavericks guard downplayed the importance of this match. “A simple regular season game.”
But this confrontation was obviously not a simple regular season meeting. Present with the Warriors from 2011 to 2024 and a true legend of the Dubs, Thompson, who left this summer for the Mavs, made his first return to the Chase Center.
An evening “unique” for Klay. With a big tribute from the Warriors: “Salute to Captain Klay”. But the emotions, always present throughout the game, were sublimated by the competition. With the long-awaited big duel between the Splash Brothers!
Stephen Curry – Klay Thompson, the direct confrontation!
The symbol of this very special fight? From the first action, the Texans called a system for a post-up from Thompson… on Curry! Directly opposed, with the leader defending against his ex-partner, they immediately had a duel. Under the cries of the crowd.
“He's my guy, he's my friend, a very close teammate for 14 years. So in our history, we haven't faced each other much. It was a surreal evening. There were emotions before the game, he got this tribute and the crowd was going wild for his first basket. It was a really special night.
No, I didn't ask to defend him. But it was pretty obvious compared to their 5. On the other hand, I didn't expect this first action where they called a post-up for him. I was disturbed. I felt like I was back at training camp.
I had Draymond giving me instructions, but I didn't really listen to him. It was weird to start the match like that,” Stephen Curry admitted at a press conference.
The result of this action? A foul by Curry and two successful free throws for Thompson.
“It was fun to come face to face with Steph. We've already been against each other many times, in training, with Team USA or at the All-Star Game. Afterwards, in a real NBA game , it was pretty surreal, but after a few minutes, it was just Basketball,” he summed up.
Basketball, but with a lot at stake. Because even in a regular season match, which counted for the Emirates NBA Cup, the desire to win was increased tenfold among both teams. Regarding this whole story around Thompson.
And the two former teammates did not hesitate to look for each other. Before the break, Curry trash-talked his friend by getting a “and-one”. And before that, on a winning basket, Thompson had made the shimmy. The little shoulder dance often performed by your ex-partner.
“It was an impromptu move. When you feel it, you sometimes do things instinctively. I've done it before, I know Steph has done it a lot too, so it was fun. He was a little surprised , but it was a good shot.
And I'll probably do it again in the future, I play my best basketball when I'm released,” Thompson calmed.
“The shimmy? He knows better than that,” Curry laughed.
Scenes which helped spice up an already boiling match.
???? Instant thrill: the Warriors intro for the return of Klay Thompson ????
The last word for the Chef
Because sportingly, there was a level. With a Luka Doncic (31 points) gala over the first three quarters, the fight was intense. Kyrie Irving made his contribution (21 points). Just like Thompson (22 points), performing well despite the emotions.
Opposite, we found a Draymond Green hyperactive. And above all, Curry did not want to let this match slip away. The leader of the Warriors was clearly on a mission. With the obvious refusal to lose to his Splash Bro. Faced with the acceleration of the Mavs in the money-time, he took out the boss's costume.
At 112-105 in favor of Dallas with less than 4 minutes and 30 seconds remaining, De’Anthony Melton revived his team with a prize-winning basket. Before 12 consecutive points from Curry. His team's last 12 points. To finally win 120 to 117. With a decisive three-point shot, at 115-114, followed by his famous “night, night”.
“The NBA is that: competition. There were many emotions, but both teams wanted to win. There was an atmosphere worthy of the Playoffs. There was a great battle, the great players made great actions on both sides.
That's what we're looking for in the competition, we like it,” Curry said.
And for his part, Thompson, for the first time in his career, suffered a heat stroke from Curry.
“And it hurts to be on the other side of one of his outbursts. The guy got all hot at the end and took some ridiculous shots. I was on the other side this time and that fears,” he said.
Emotion, competition and an explosion. A simple regular season meeting has indeed transformed into a real event.
Stephen Curry promises “war” for his reunion with Klay Thompson
