Captain’s Orders: Klay Thompson Stuns Chase Center With Emotional Tunnel Walk
SAN FRANCISCO — The “Splash Brothers” era officially shifted into a new, surreal chapter on Tuesday night. Klay Thompson, the man who helped engineer a decade of dominance in Northern California, walked through the Chase Center doors not as the face of the franchise, but as a guest. Clad in a black Mavericks warmup and his iconic white captain’s hat, Thompson looked like a man ready for one final voyage in familiar waters.
The scene in the tunnel was nothing short of cinematic. Instead of a standard security detail, Thompson was met by a gauntlet of 400-plus Warriors staffers. From front-office executives to the arena’s cleaning crew, the organization stood in silence before breaking into a thunderous applause that echoed through the concrete corridors. It wasn’t just a player arriving for a game; it was a four-time champion coming home to say goodbye.
The Captain’s Final Salute
The Warriors organization fully leaned into the “Captain Klay” theme, distributing white nautical hats to all 18,064 fans in attendance. When Thompson emerged from the visitor’s tunnel for pre-game warmups, the visual was striking. A sea of captains stood to salute the man who averaged 19.6 points per game over 13 seasons in blue and gold.
Thompson appeared to take a deliberate path to the court, soaking in the sights of the banners he helped hang. While the scoreboard eventually showed a 120-117 Warriors victory, the pre-game festivities belonged entirely to Thompson. The tribute video played on the jumbotron reduced a notoriously stoic Thompson to a moment of deep reflection before he took his first practice shots at the “wrong” basket.
“I’ve seen a lot of things in this league, but seeing the staff lined up like that… it hits you. I spent my whole adult life here. It’s more than basketball; it’s family.”
— Klay Thompson on the pre-game reception
Competition Overrides Nostalgia
Once the ball was tipped, the sentimentality ended. Thompson immediately engaged in a physical battle with his long-time partner, Stephen Curry. Thompson rewarded the crowd’s energy early by hitting six three-pointers and finishing with 22 points. He even hit a shimmy after a deep triple, a move that prompted a grin and a head-shake from Curry.
However, the night ended with Curry reminding everyone why he remains the king of the Bay. Curry scored the Warriors’ final 12 points, including a dagger three that he punctuated with a “Night Night” celebration aimed directly at the Mavericks’ bench. The game was a classic, but the story was the bridge Thompson had built—and eventually crossed—to start his new life in Dallas.
What’s Next
This game serves as the definitive closure for the Golden State dynasty’s core. The Warriors move forward with a 9-2 record and a renewed sense of depth, while Thompson heads back to Dallas to continue building chemistry with Luka Doncic. While they are no longer teammates, the standing ovation Thompson received on Tuesday ensures that his legacy at Chase Center is permanent. Number 11 will never be worn again in San Francisco, and after tonight, it’s clear why.
