In his Dallas debut, Klay Thompson enjoyed a strong start, especially compared to his final performance with Golden State after 13 seasons. Early in the fourth quarter, Thompson shared a brief courtside conversation with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, shortly before draining an open 3-pointer. He had enough time to dribble, pause, and line up his shot before sinking it, contributing to the Mavericks’ 120-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Thompson set a franchise record in his first game by hitting six 3-pointers and scoring 22 points, marking a solid debut alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Reflecting on the game, Thompson admitted to feeling nervous initially but said, “It feels good to get the first one out of the way.” After a tough finish with the Warriors, missing all 10 shots in his last game, he was pleased to connect early on with Dallas, making his first two attempts from inside the arc.
Like the Mavericks, who shot just 36% in the first half, Thompson had a slower start but found his rhythm, hitting his first 3-pointer and setting the tone for a strong second half. Scoring 14 points after the break and going 4-for-5 from deep, Thompson helped Dallas shoot an impressive 13 of 21 from 3-point range in the second half. He also contributed with seven rebounds and three steals.
The 3-pointer after his chat with Romo highlighted a 16-3 run in the fourth, extending Dallas’ lead to 20. About his deliberate setup, Thompson explained, “Sometimes when you’re that wide open, you overthink it. I heard Luka running down the floor, so I’m glad I made it.” Thompson finished 7-of-13 overall and 6-of-10 from 3-point range, while Doncic added 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
Thompson’s sole assist came from a handoff to Irving, who drained a 3-pointer, bringing his total to 15 points. Doncic praised Thompson’s presence on the floor, saying, “It makes my life and Kai’s easier. It gives the whole team space. It’s great.”
