SAN FRANCISCO – Before his first game in the Bay Area as a Dallas Maverick, Klay Thompson claimed it was “just another regular season game.”

Thompson’s attempt to downplay the Golden State Warriors-Mavericks matchup in mid-November was not credible. That night, Steph Curry punctuated the Warriors’ comeback victory with a game-winning 3-pointer, which he celebrated by giving his “Night, Night” cheer and screaming into the camera.

In Part II of Mavericks-Warriors on Sunday, the emotion Thompson showed in the fourth quarter was further proof that there is nothing ordinary about playing against the team with which he won four championships in 13 years.

“As far as regular-season wins go,” Thompson said after Dallas’ 143-133 win. “It has to be up there.”

Thompson scored 29 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, in a game that featured an NBA-record 48 3-pointers. Thompson sank seven of those triples. He made three three-pointers in the final six and a half minutes of the game. With 6:26 minutes left, he celebrated a goal from the left corner by stomping around and sticking out his tongue.

TALK TO THEM‼️ pic.twitter.com/hMcOTcty5o

– Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 16, 2024

Thompson’s 29 points were seven more than he had scored in any other game this season. It was his best game with the Mavericks, who signed the 34-year-old to a three-year contract in July after acquiring him in a sign-and-trade.

“I love filming at Chase Center,” Thompson said. “I was lucky enough to set records here and have incredible memories. I try to make use of it every time I’m back. It’s just as fun as the first time I was back. Especially when you see the number 11 jerseys and the young fans. Just seeing the impact I’ve had here makes me incredibly proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish.”

The Chase Center was a sea of ​​captain’s hats during the Nov. 12 game between Dallas and Golden State. The Warriors handed out nautical headwear to all fans in attendance.

Thompson developed an affinity for boating while recovering from two lower-body injuries that cost him more than two years of his prime. Thompson suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the 2019 NBA Finals. Seventeen months later, Thompson tore his right Achilles tendon. 941 days passed between the individual games.

“I think he was fired up,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “Emotions come back here. Winning championships and fighting many battles on the other side. His confidence in being able to make big throws in the rhythm of the offense was (great).”

The Mavericks (17-9) won for the 12th time in 14 games despite the Warriors shooting sharply from the 3-point arc. The Warriors’ 27 3-pointers were the most ever made by an NBA team in a loss.

Luka Dončić bounced back from a tough performance in Oklahoma City with a 45-point, 11-rebound, 13-assist performance. It was his third triple-double in four games. Dončić’s 16-of-23 shooting night helped the Mavericks average a game-high 141.6 points per 100 possessions against the NBA’s fourth-ranked defense.

“Luckily Luka had a historic night,” Thompson said. “Shows we can outperform anyone. At the same time, we still need to improve our defense a bit. Because if we want to do what we want, it’s very important that we don’t let the opponent shoot so well from the field.”

Thompson then spent 20 minutes in the Warriors locker room meeting with his former colleagues. The day before the game, Thompson visited his old neighborhood, drove past Oracle Arena and ate with a friend.

Thompson spotted a few No. 11 jerseys in the crowd Sunday.

“That always warms my heart,” he said.

There were also a few captain’s hats.

“Seamanship is probably the only thing I enjoy as much as basketball,” Thompson said. “I’m really happy that I’ve attracted a whole new group of people to wear this hat who have never been on the water before. That makes me happy.”

(Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)