Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVNovember 13, 2024
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Klay Thompson did plenty of winning during his time with the Golden State Warriors and formed one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history with Stephen Curry.
It turns out, going against Curry isn't as fun.
Curry led his Warriors to a dramatic 120-117 victory over Thompson's Dallas Mavericks in Tuesday's NBA Cup group play game at Chase Center. It was the latter's first game against his former team as a visiting player, but the two-time MVP played the role of hero by going on a personal 10-0 run in the final four minutes.
He finished with 37 points, nine assists and six rebounds and rose to the moment like he seemingly always does with a step-back triple in the last 30 seconds to help secure the win. Golden State improved to 9-2 as a result, while the Mavericks fell to 5-6 with their third consecutive loss.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
STEPH UNREAL THREE AND HE HIT THE ‘NIGHT NIGHT' CELLY 😱 pic.twitter.com/gwQD5dfaFI
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
THIS GAME. pic.twitter.com/hzWIK6kg5W
Golden State Warriors @warriors
Night, Night pic.twitter.com/LdwEY2YA44
Thompson's return was the story before Curry's heroics, and he finished with 22 points, four rebounds and three assists behind 6-of-12 shooting from deep. Luka Dončić also impressed and tallied 31 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Yet social media was primarily focused on Thompson's return:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
The Steph and Klay era was ONE OF ONE 🐐🥹 pic.twitter.com/PMwX9sPXan
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Steph vs. Klay for the first time 🤯
Surreal. pic.twitter.com/IqyqK8ATAz
Trae Young @TheTraeYoung
That's weird.. Klay vs Steph!
Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
This Warriors Mavs game is everything we wanted it to be
Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
The way the Warriors have publicly welcomed back Klay should be studied by all other professional teams when a former star returns. Classy. Emotional. Fitting for a player who helped make the organization what it is today.
LO$O @LivinGoood_Loso
They showing klay all this love tonight.. and he hooping just makes tonight 🔥🔥🔥😂
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
Klay posting up Steph is one of the strangest things I've ever seen
A ✩ @adryanashton
Steph guarded Klay on the first possession and scored his first bucket on Klay
the writers couldn't have cooked up a better script than this
kendyll ❤️💛 🥥🌴 @kendogg49ers
I know Steph is the goat, but man klay will ALWAYS be one of my favorite warriors. Thank you @KlayThompson pic.twitter.com/hYiejKUM7j
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
There is some competitive heat with Steph and Klay. Steph hits a bucket over Klay while getting fouled and looks over at Klay like he's looking for him.
Klay has shimmied like Steph.
Love, but competition!
Robbie Goodwin @robbiegoodwin
If you are around my age and from the Bay Area,
