Klay Thompson

Finding the rims friendly, and the 18,064 in attendance even friendlier, Klay Thompson’s return to the environment that chronicled his NBA career’s first 12 years proved, fittingly, to be quite storybook. Absorbing first the all-too-familiar scene accompanying his long-awaited comeback — a rousing ovation, followed by a trademark, drawn-out “He’s back” from the Golden State Warriors’ pre-game lineup announcer — the five-time All-Star promptly got to work from range immediately thereafter. Hunting out perhaps his night’s most memorable sequence in the second period, Thompson, after eliminating Buddy Hield’s contest through a deceptive fake, buries a 3-pointer, followed by a celebratory “Shimmy,” tauntingly drawing the eye of his former “Splash Brother” teammate. On a nationally-televised night defined by high emotions, big-time shots, and awe-inspiring plays from players who approached dynasty-like levels during the NBA's last decade, Thompson, even in the Dallas Mavericks’ defeat, sat among the show stealers. Leaving November 12, 2024 as one to forever remember, the Mount Rushmore-type shooter and all-time Warriors great launched for 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and six 3-pointers.