The NBA Cup tips off with one of the most anticipated games of the season Tuesday night, as Klay Thompson returns to San Francisco with the Dallas Mavericks to face his former team, the Golden State Warriors.
Thompson, 34, a first-round pick by the Warriors in 2011, left Golden State in a sign-and-trade over the summer, ending a 13-year tenure that included two missed seasons due to Achilles and knee injuries.
The four-time champion and five-time All-Star is averaging 13.8 points in his first 10 games for the Mavericks, after averaging 17.9 points for the Warriors last season.
Thompson departed Golden State ranked second to Stephen Curry on the franchise’s all-time list for career 3-pointers (2,481). He also sits fourth in games played (793), sixth in points (15,531), and ninth in steals (676).
His homecoming is part of the second edition of the NBA Cup, an in-season tournament where the Mavericks and Warriors are grouped with the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Denver Nuggets.
Thompson has tried to downplay his return, citing his excitement for the NBA Cup. Last season, he and the Warriors went 2-2 in the tournament.
In Thompson’s absence, Buddy Hield has stepped up, ranking among the NBA leaders in 3-pointers (40) and 3-point field goal percentage (48.8). Thompson, meanwhile, has made 29 treys at a 35.4 percent clip for the Mavericks.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has stated there are no hard feelings about Thompson’s departure.
The Warriors plan to honor Thompson with a “Salute Captain Klay” interactive experience that will include a pregame video tribute. They have also announced that his No. 31 will be retired once his playing days are over.
Coming off a 4-1 road trip that included wins over the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Warriors hold an 8-2 record as they enter a four-day stretch in which they will also host Memphis for an NBA Cup game on Friday.
With Kyrie Irving scoring 43 points, the Mavericks opened a three-game trip with a 122-120 loss at Denver on Sunday. Luka Doncic contributed 24 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
