Just a few minutes after the final whistle blew, with the score still showing on the big screen, an emotional graphic appeared on the screen for everyone to see: it featured two photos side by side, one of Stephen Curry dribbling with his left hand and the other of Klay Thompson in almost the same pose, now wearing a blue Mavericks jersey.
The Golden State Warriors had just finished their season-opening home games, and the next game was against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center. Fans who attended the game received a special captain’s hat in honor of Thompson’s tradition of boating to games as “Captain Klay.”
On Tuesday night, Thompson will face the Warriors for the first time since joining the Mavericks in July on a three-year, $50 million contract. Before that, he spent 11 seasons with Golden State, winning four championships.
When asked how he would feel about the reunion, Thompson said, “I don’t think I’ll really know until I get there to be honest. It’d be good to see all the people I grinded with that’s for sure, especially the training staff because we had some … we got to know each other very well over those rehab stints, very well.”
Thompson, now 34, missed more than 2 and a half years of playing time—missing the entire 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons—due to surgeries on his left knee and right Achilles tendon. He made his comeback in January 2022.
He has described recovering from these two major injuries as one of the toughest and most exhausting challenges he has ever faced.
Despite the emotions of the situation, Thompson says he will be able to focus on the game like it’s just any other. When he joined the Mavericks four months ago, he sent a farewell message to the Bay Area fans, but he is still loved by them.
“It won’t be that hard, I’m a pro and I know what it takes to win in this league so it won’t be very hard,” he said. “I know how to turn the page and focus. That’s why I’ve been able to do what I’ve done for 12 healthy seasons, going on 13. Very blessed.”
Since Day 1 of Warriors training camp, much of the focus has been on Thompson’s departure and how the team would move forward without him as one of Curry’s Splash Brothers.
The Warriors certainly miss him.
The team has organized a special “Salute Captain Klay” ceremony to honor Thompson before the game, celebrating his 11 years with the franchise. The Warriors have encouraged fans to arrive early, whether by land or sea, to join in the special pregame tribute to the franchise legend.
Brandon Schneider, the Warriors President and COO, said in a statement: “With Klay, it’s not the records or championships or clutch shots that stand out the most from the last 13 years — it’s the truly unique relationship he developed with the Bay Area and our fans. He embraced Dub Nation and Dub Nation embraced him back.
Warriors fans have laughed, cried, cheered and celebrated alongside him, and it’s only fitting that they get a chance to show their love and salute him in his return to the Bay.”
Thompson plans to enjoy the moment, but he also wants to win.
“It’s all good, though,” Thompson said. “I’m embracing it. You only get to do one thing so many times in your life.”
