Is Klay Thompson playing tonight against Warriors? Latest on Mavericks star's status explored for Emirates NBA Cup game (Nov. 12)
Klay Thompson will suit up for the Dallas Mavericks in their NBA Cup game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. The matchup will be an emotional one for Thompson, marking his first NBA game against his former team. The star forward spent 11 seasons with Golden State, where he played a pivotal role in the team's four NBA championships. After parting ways with the Warriors in the offseason, Thompson joined the Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million contract.
Thompson began his Mavericks career with a strong start, posting 22, 19, and 18 points in his first three games. However, the five-time NBA All-Star has hit a rough patch recently, making just two of his last 13 3-point attempts over the past two games.
Currently averaging 13.8 points per game on 41.8% shooting from the field, including 35.4% from beyond the arc, Thompson will aim to break out of his shooting slump as the Mavericks face off against the Warriors. Facing his former team could be just the spark he needs to regain his rhythm.
Klay Thompson focussed on job at hand
Undoubtedly, thousands of fans at the Chase Center will show their appreciation for Klay Thompson when he steps onto the court to face his former team. Despite the buzz and excitement surrounding his return, Thompson remains focused on the task at hand, downplaying the matchup as simply “just another game.”
"It's just another regular season game in November," said Thompson after the Mavericks' 122-120 loss against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
"Obviously, there's bigger implications with the NBA Cup. That's what's on our mind is, in my mind, is just to win that because I haven't been a part of it yet. I know it's young, but it'd be fun to play for that title."
Though Thompson downplayed facing the Warriors, his teammate Kyrie Irving, who has experience playing against former teams several times, offered a more thoughtful response.
"The biggest thing is just the human aspect of emotions," said Irving. "It’s just gonna be haywire, man. You don’t know how to really feel because you’ve been in a routine with another team for a long period of time."
The Mavericks vs. Warriors game is set to tip off at 10 p.m. EDT (7 p.m. PT) and fans can catch Thompson in action on TNT or via the NBA League Pass.
Also read: Klay Thompson downplays facing Steph Curry and Warriors for first time in his NBA career: "It'd be fun to play for that title"