Klay Thompson spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Warriors, playing a major role in four NBA championships alongside Stephen Curry, but opted to join the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent this summer.
DALLAS — Butterflies fluttered in the stomach of Klay Thompson for days before Thursday night’s preseason game, his first NBA appearance without the uniform of the Golden State Warriors.
“I haven’t been this nervous, I think, since the first game of the 2015 Finals,” Thompson said after scoring 10 points in 18 first-half minutes during the Los Angeles loss. Dallas Mavericks by 107-102 against the Utah Jazz. “It felt so good to just go out and play and get over those nerves. It was a new experience, and it’s a natural feeling when you’ve been in one place for so long and to be in a new place in a new environment. Finally putting on the uniform was a great feeling.” incredible”.
Thompson spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Warriors, playing a major role in four NBA championships as half of the “Splash Brothers” alongside Stephen Curry. But he opted to join Dallas as a free agent this summer.
“I’m excited to experience a new chapter,” said Thompson, who rested during the Mavs’ preseason opener Monday night. “It’s going to be special. I know it.”
Thursday marked Thompson’s first time wearing No. 31 in the NBA, as his familiar No. 11 belongs to Kyrie Irving in Dallas. Thompson chose his new number as a tribute to Hall of Fame guard Reggie Miller, a childhood favorite whom Thompson will likely pass for fifth place on the all-time 3-point shooting list this season. But he also appreciates its historical relevance in Dallas. Last worn for the Mavs by Jason Terry, the 2009 Sixth Man of the Year who was a key part of the 2006 Finals team and the 2011 championship team.
Terry, who was on the visitors’ bench Thursday night as an assistant coach for the Jazz, said he approves of Thompson wearing his old number.
“The fact that he also put on the headband makes me happy,” Terry told ESPN, referring to him wearing a headband throughout his career. “Everything I told you [a Thompson] is that all he owes me is to take some shots. That’s all. Getting the number right, that’s all. Take some shots. And it will. I think he is going to play with a lot to prove. “He obviously did some great things, historic things with Golden State, and he’s looking to turn the page and move on to another chapter and leave another mark on his legacy here with Dallas.”
The American Airlines Center crowd roared as Thompson was introduced with the Mavs’ starting lineup. The home fans had to wait until the second quarter for their first basket, as they missed their first three shot attempts from the floor during their nine-minute stretch in the first quarter, making a pair of free throws.
On the opening possession of the second quarter, after Thompson said his nerves calmed during a brief bench break, he broke away from an off-ball screen and launched a jumper from a little to the right of the top of the bow. He got a shooter’s rebound, as the ball grazed the rim and kissed the glass before entering the basket. It was one of three triples he hit in the quarter.
“For him tonight, there are a lot of positives,” the Mavs coach said. Jason Kidd. “He has some great plays that we all think he’s capable of making, but he never rushes. He never forces anything. He probably turned down some shots that we would advise him to make, but we’re confident he’s making the right decision.”
Thompson said he felt some stiffness in his back but would be ready for Monday night’s preseason game against the LA Clippers.
The Mavericks superstar, Luka Doncicwho missed both preseason games due to a left calf contusion, will be out again on Monday but could participate in the preseason “dress rehearsal” finale on Oct. 17 against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Kidd.
