Klay Thompson’s Christmas Clash with the Warriors Was More Than Just a Game
The Christmas Day showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors at Chase Center carried more weight than your typical holiday matchup. Sure, the lights were bright and the stakes were high, but for Klay Thompson, this one was personal - and poignant.
Thompson, now in his first season with the Mavericks, returned to the Bay Area to face the team he called home for 13 years. It was his first Christmas Day game against the Warriors, and while the box score tells one story, the emotion behind the scenes told another.
The split from Golden State came last season, when Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million deal with Dallas as part of a six-team sign-and-trade. The move marked the end of an era - one defined by championships, chemistry, and countless clutch moments alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of the Warriors core.
Even a year later, the connection clearly hasn’t faded.
“I’ll never get used to seeing Klay on the other side,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after the game. “I miss Klay. Wish he was still here.”
That sentiment echoed what many Warriors fans were feeling watching No. 11 in blue and white instead of the familiar gold. And it’s not just Kerr who’s feeling the absence. Stephen Curry, Thompson’s longtime backcourt partner and co-architect of Golden State’s dynasty, has made no secret of his desire for a reunion down the line.
And in a subtle but powerful gesture, Curry let his shoes do the talking.
After parting ways with Under Armour, Curry has been experimenting with different brands on the court. But in the Christmas Day game against Dallas, he laced up in Thompson’s signature sneakers - the ANTA KT 11s - a quiet tribute to his former teammate and close friend.
Thompson took notice.
“It was great. Really cool,” he said postgame.
“Wish he didn’t get a win in them, but it was awesome. Respect.”
As for the game itself, it was a mixed bag for Thompson. He played 26 minutes and finished with 7 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds. Not exactly a stat-sheet stuffer, but his presence alone was significant - a reminder of the history he helped build in that arena.
On the Mavericks’ side, the spotlight belonged to Cooper Flagg. The rookie sensation delivered another eye-opening performance, dropping 27 points to go with 5 assists and 6 rebounds in 36 minutes. Flagg continues to show that the moment is never too big for him, even on one of the NBA’s marquee nights.
PJ Washington also chipped in with a strong effort, recording a double-double - 14 points, 10 boards, and 2 assists - as Dallas tried to keep pace with a Warriors team that looked energized and sharp.
Despite the individual efforts, the Mavericks ultimately fell short, losing 126-116. But for Thompson, the night was about more than the final score. It was about stepping back into a building where he became a champion, facing off against teammates who became brothers, and being reminded - by fans, coaches, and Curry himself - that some bonds in basketball run deeper than the jersey you wear.
The reunion might have been brief, but the respect? That’s permanent.