In a pulsating opening to the NBA Cup, Stephen Curry scored 37 points while the Golden State Warriors edged the Dallas Mavericks in a 120-117 thriller on Tuesday night, dashing Klay Thompson’s much-anticipated return to San Francisco.
Fans and former teammates alike gave Thompson a warm reception at the Chase Center in San Francisco after he left Golden State for Dallas in July following four NBA championships with the Warriors. The Warriors extended a guard of honour as well when Thompson entered the arena, while a number of fans came out in nautical hats in recognition of Thompson’s tradition of commuting by boat. Thompson hit six three-pointers to score 22 points but couldn’t outshine his old mate.
Leading by six with 114-108, Dallas held a comfortable position to win the game with over three minutes remaining, but Curry countered with a clutch performance, a fourth-quarter frenzy of 10 consecutive points, including a 28-foot step-back three, to take Golden State up 118-114. He even hit two big free throws down the stretch to seal this win in typical Curry cool under fire.
“There was a lot of emotion, but both teams wanted to win,” Curry told TNT. “It was playofflike in atmosphere, great players making great plays. That’s why we love the competition.”
That was “surreal” for Thompson to see Curry across from him in an active setting. “We’ve guarded each other plenty of times in practice for Team USA or All-Star Games, but a competitive NBA game-it was pretty surreal,” he said. “It hurts to be on the other side of one of his flurries. Guy got hot at the end and made some ridiculous shots. It sucks.”
In other NBA Cup action, Joel Embiid made his season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers but had a poor game as his team fell 111-99 to the New York Knicks. Embiid, who was returning from a knee injury and suspension, finished with 13 points in a game largely dominated by the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks nipped the Boston Celtics 117-116 in a game where they had to navigate through without star Trae Young. Dyson Daniels led the way for Atlanta with 28 points, and Onyeka Okongwu scored the go-ahead basket with 6.1 seconds left.
This is its second season, and it appears the NBA Cup is designed to bring early-season competitive intensity with 30 teams across six groups competing for a December knockout round spot in Las Vegas.
