The Long Walk: Klay Thompson Steps Onto Chase Center Floor in Mavericks Black
SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson took the left turn instead of the right. For 13 years, the routine was ironclad: park the car, walk through the home entrance, and head to the Warriors’ locker room. On Tuesday evening, the routine shattered. Thompson emerged from the visitor’s tunnel at Chase Center, wearing the black-and-blue of the Dallas Mavericks, marking the start of the most emotional homecoming in recent NBA history.
Pau Gasol’s reaction to Steph’s three is universal. https://t.co/NiBpeeB6uc pic.twitter.com/wxACMXg3yd
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As he stepped onto the hardwood for his pre-game shooting routine, Thompson paused. He looked up at the four championship banners he helped hang. He scanned the seats where fans were already donning white “Captain Klay” hats. This wasn’t a road game; it was a surreal trip through his own history, dressed in the colors of the opposition.
“Everything Felt Different”
The visual of Thompson in Mavericks gear remains a shock to the league’s system. He spent 793 regular-season games and 158 playoff battles in a Warriors uniform. To see him warming up on the “visitor” side of the court felt like a glitch in the NBA’s timeline. Yet, as he launched his first practice jumper, the mechanics were unmistakable—the same high release and flick of the wrist that fueled a decade of “Splash Brother” dominance.
Staff members who have worked at the arena since its opening in 2019 lined the floor, offering quiet nods and smiles. Thompson, usually stoic during his warmup, took several moments to acknowledge the ushers and security personnel who had become his extended family over 1,235 total threes made in a Golden State home jersey.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s weird. You try to focus on the basket, but you can’t help but see all the faces you’ve known for a decade. It’s a lot to take in.”
— Klay Thompson during pre-game preparations
The Competitive Shift
Once the initial shock wore off, the sniper took over. Thompson began his traditional shooting circuit, hitting 10 consecutive corner triples before moving to the top of the key. While the evening began with nostalgia, the stakes of the Emirates NBA Cup loomed large. The Warriors entered the night with a rejuvenated bench, while Dallas looked to capitalize on the Thompson-Luka Doncic pairing.
The Mavericks’ coaching staff watched closely as Thompson adjusted to the rims at Chase Center. Even as a visitor, he seemed to possess the “shooter’s touch” that defined his career in the Bay. The question for the night wasn’t whether Thompson would be cheered—that was a certainty—but whether he would silence the crowd once the ball was tipped.
What’s Next for the Splash Brother
Following this emotional return, Thompson and the Mavericks head back into a grueling Western Conference schedule. This game serves as the definitive “closing of the door” on his time in San Francisco. While the 120-117 Warriors victory eventually stole the headlines, the image of Thompson emerging from the visitor’s tunnel remains the day’s defining moment. The NBA has officially entered a new era: one where the Splash Brothers are rivals, and Captain Klay sails under a different flag.
