Curry ruins Thompson’s return to Chase Center

SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Curry faced off against his former teammate Klay Thompson on Tuesday night, as the Golden State Warriors clutched a thrilling game against the Dallas Mavericks in the group stages of the Emirates NBA Cup.

After Thompson’s departure from the organisation he helped lead to four championships, due to contract disputes, fans had been awaiting the first encounter between him and his former teammates.

Even before 18,000 fans at the Chase Center gave the warmest of welcomes to the man who helped make Golden State a Dynasty, Warrior’s employees lined up along Thompson’s path to the locker room, showering him with cheers.

THE GAME

The game was a back and forth affair, with Golden state leading most of the first, courtesy of 12 points from Curry. The Mavericks fought back in the second taking their biggest lead of the game with 11 points as Doncic continued to penetrate the Warriors defence while Thompson made a couple of shots from deep.

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The Warriors would once again take the lead in the 3rd, pulling ahead by as much as 13 points. But, Dallas would once again claw their way back in a thrilling fourth quarter which featured the majority of the games nine lead changes. Kyrie Irving would take charge early in the quarter, hitting a floating jump shot before knocking down a 3-point step back a minute later. Thompson got in on the action soon after, hitting a three of his own before driving into the lane for a layup.

Warriors looked to be on the precipice of defeat after Thompson hit a three pointer from 27 feet right before Daniel Gafford slammed the ball through the net, putting Dallas up by seven points with four minutes left on the clock.

However, that was more than enough time for Curry to put the Warriors on his back, scoring Golden State’s last 12 points in a row. With 30 seconds left on the clock, Curry hit a step back three pointer to put the Warriors ahead by four. Dallas would respond with a three of their own, but a couple of free throws from Curry would seal the deal.

Despite an impressive effort from Thompson, who shot 50 per cent from deep, hitting six shots from beyond the arc on his way to scoring 22, the Warriors won the game by three points, 120 -117. Curry scored 37 points, hitting five of his 12 shots from deep, while Luka Doncic was the highest scorer for the Mavericks, scoring 31 points.

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