NBA All-Star guard Klay Thompson, who has been a longtime player for the Golden State Warriors, is now officially a member of the Dallas Mavericks. He played his first game for the Mavericks on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, and he felt very nervous as a five-time All-Star.
Thompson shared with the media that he had a lot of butterflies as he got ready to play for Dallas for the first time. “I haven’t been that nervous, I don’t think, since the 2015 Finals Game 1,” Thompson said.
“It felt so good just to go out there and play and work those jitters out. It was a new experience, and it’s a natural feeling when you’ve been somewhere so long and to be somewhere new in a new environment. To finally put the uniform on, it felt amazing.”
In his Dallas debut, Thompson played for 18 minutes and started the game. The 34-year-old scored 10 points, had three assists, and shot 3-for-9 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range.
After spending 13 years with one team, he is now in a new situation. However, he is looking forward to this next chapter in his life and is feeling welcomed by the Dallas fans. “It feels great to be embraced by the fan base,” said Thompson.
“It inspires me every day to work my hardest and be the best I can be. I know I made the right decision, especially with what I’ve felt tonight and the past few weeks with the team.”
“I’m just excited to experience a new chapter,” said Thompson, who rested during the Mavericks’ preseason opener on Monday night. “It’s going to be special. I just know it.”
Not only is Thompson on a new team, but he also has a new number, No. 31. He spent the first 13 years of his career with the Warriors, where he built a Hall of Fame career. During those 13 years, he won four NBA championships, was a five-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA player, and made the 2019 All-Defensive Second Team. Now, Thompson is starting fresh with the Mavericks.
Dallas is thrilled to have Thompson, along with former Mavericks champion guard Jason Terry. Terry expressed his excitement about Thompson wearing a headband for his debut, just like he did throughout his career.
“The fact that he got the headband on, too, I’m elated,” Terry said. “All I said [to Thompson] is all he owes me is to make some shots. That’s it. Do the number right, that’s it. Make some shots. And he’ll do it. I think he’s going to play with a lot to prove.
Obviously, he did some great things, historical things with Golden State, and he’s looking to turn a page and go to another chapter and make another mark on his legacy here with Dallas.”
