The Captain Returns: Klay Thompson’s Bittersweet Homecoming to Warriors Territory
Golden State’s beloved sharpshooter Klay Thompson made an emotional return to Chase Center on Tuesday night, marking his first appearance as a Dallas Maverick against his former team. The night, dubbed “Salute Captain Klay,” brought together thousands of fans eager to welcome back one of the architects of the Warriors’ dynasty.
Thompson, who spent 13 remarkable seasons with the Warriors and helped secure four NBA championships, received a hero’s welcome. The Warriors organization pulled out all the stops, distributing captain’s hats to fans in a nod to Thompson’s famous boat rides to games during his Warriors tenure.
In a touching development before the game, Stephen Curry and Thompson made a joint decision to forgo a planned pregame speech. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr disclosed that the two stars delivered a speech on Monday night, concurring that the audience’s response would be a powerful statement.
“There’s going to be enough emotion already,” Kerr told reporters. “The crowd will give him an enormous ovation that will probably go on for a while.”
Thompson’s journey with the Warriors came to an end when he signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks this past offseason. His Warriors legacy includes some of the most spectacular performances in NBA history:
- I had a record-breaking 37-point quarter against Sacramento in 2015.
- He delivered a legendary “Game 6 Klay” performance, scoring 41 points against Oklahoma City.
- The team played an incredible 60-point game in just 29 minutes against Indiana.
- He achieved an NBA record by making 14 three-pointers in a single game.
The 34-year-old guard’s impact on the Warriors goes beyond statistics. His comeback from career-threatening injuries—missing two and a half seasons due to knee and Achilles injuries—inspired fans and teammates alike. When he finally returned in January 2022, he helped guide the team to their fourth championship in eight years.
This season, Thompson is averaging 13.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game with the Mavericks, showing flashes of the sharpshooting that made him a Warriors legend. While his numbers may have dipped from his peak years, his influence on the game’s evolution and the Warriors’ dynasty remains undisputed.
“That chapter is over,” Thompson told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears before the game. “I’m in the midst of trying to win here. There’s no reason to overlook anything when we have this incredible opportunity to excel.
Despite his forward-looking mindset, the night served as a powerful reminder of Thompson’s impact on the Warriors and the NBA as a whole. The Chase Center crowd’s thunderous ovation reflected not just appreciation for past glory but recognition of a player who helped transform basketball with his pure shooting stroke and unwavering determination.
As Thompson steps onto the court in Mavericks blue, his legacy in Warriors gold remains secure. Despite changing teams, the Bay Area’s heart will always hold his place in Warriors history.