Klay Thompson dazzled on Thursday night, showcasing that quick, silky release and a follow-through that’s as smooth as maple syrup! Though it was just a preseason game—the second for the Mavericks and Thompson’s debut—the 6’6″ guard reminded everyone of his signature style in just a couple of minutes late in the first half during the Jazz’s 107-102 win at the American Airlines Center.
With 2:45 on the clock, he received a handoff from Naji Marshall at the three-point arc. Swish! A minute later, he snagged another handoff and, yet again, the shot found the net. He even attempted another shot from the perimeter that just didn’t go in, but that brief display was pure magic!
Throw in his first three-pointer earlier in the second quarter, which rolled in perfectly, and Thompson finished with 10 points in only 18 minutes before resting in the second half alongside Kyrie Irving, who also made his preseason debut.
After spending 13 seasons with the Warriors, it’s safe to say Thompson was relieved and thrilled to finally hit the court with the Mavericks.
“I was nervous for about four days,” Klay Thompson admitted candidly. “I don’t think I’ve felt this way since Game 1 of the 2015 Finals! It felt amazing to finally get out there and shake off those jitters.”
He reflected on the excitement of stepping into a new environment after spending over a decade with the Warriors. “Putting on that uniform felt incredible. It was like experiencing my rookie season all over again!”
By the second quarter, those initial nerves had faded, and he fought through a bit of back tightness, which he didn’t consider a concern. As he heated up late in the half, he shared his enthusiasm: “Playing with Kai and the rest of the guys was great. Surreal? Absolutely! This preseason is crucial for me to build strong chemistry with the team. I’m excited about this new chapter; it’s going to be something special!”
The Mavericks share that sentiment, and Thompson received a warm welcome from the fans. He ended up shooting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, although he missed all four attempts inside it—three of those coming in the first quarter as he adjusted to the moment.
“Klay had some fantastic looks and really found his rhythm from deep,” coach Jason Kidd noted. “He’s a weapon, no matter how tightly guarded. That’s been his game throughout his entire career.”
“There are a lot of positives for him tonight,” Kidd said about Thompson. “He had some great looks that we all believe he can make. He never rushes or forces anything. He probably passed up some shots we’d like him to take, but we trust he’s making the right choices.”
Thompson moved intelligently on the court, drawing defenders and creating opportunities for his teammates. His chemistry with Irving was evident, allowing them to mesh seamlessly. “The chemistry in practice has been really strong,” Kidd remarked. “They both understand what it takes to win and are getting used to each other. Klay brings great spacing and shooting, while Kai can be dynamic with or without the ball. It’s about finding their rhythm together.”
Kidd emphasized that patience will be key for the Mavericks. “This doesn’t happen overnight,” he noted. “When we traded for Kai, we hoped for instant success, but it took time. Developing this team will be a journey over 82 games. Some nights we’ll shine, and others we might struggle. But it’s a long game, and we hope to hit our stride by March and April.”
Luka Dončić is sitting out his second straight preseason game and will also miss Monday’s matchup against the Clippers. “He’s doing great,” Kidd shared, but no participation on Monday means we’ll see how he feels for the final preseason game on Friday.
Kidd plans to push Thompson and Irving beyond halftime against the Clippers, aiming for the last game against Milwaukee to act as a real dress rehearsal.
There are other players like Dante Exum, P.J. Washington, Brandon Williams, Maxi Kleber, and Kessler Edwards also out, so the Mavericks are dealing with some challenges.
On a lighter note, Kidd addressed the fans’ surprise at Thompson wearing Jason Terry’s old number 31. “It’s not Jason Terry, but he’s in the building,” Kidd noted. Terry, who played a crucial role in the 2011 championship team, looks forward to seeing Thompson in his jersey and rocking a headband, just like old times!
Terry’s now on the Jazz coaching staff, and head coach Will Hardy praised him for being incredibly funny and effective in connecting with players. “Jet tells the truth without hurting feelings,” Hardy said, highlighting Terry’s ability to hold players accountable. Sounds like a winning combo!
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