Klay Thompson, the five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion, made a spectacular debut for the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, setting a franchise record for three-pointers in a debut with six shots from beyond the arc. Thompson finished the game with 22 points, shooting 7-for-13 overall and 6-for-10 from three-point range, playing a pivotal role in the Mavericks’ 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
A Memorable Debut
During a break early in the fourth quarter, Thompson was seen chatting with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Moments later, he showcased his sharpshooting skills, taking his time to line up a wide-open three-pointer, which he successfully made. This moment highlighted Thompson’s composure and ability to thrive under pressure, even after a challenging stretch of missed shots.
Reflecting on his debut, Thompson expressed a mix of emotions: “The feelings were a lot of nerves, anxiousness, for a few minutes, then you see one go through and you feel great. Great debut. It’s only one game in October, but it feels good to get the first one out of the way.” This debut starkly contrasted with his last game with the Golden State Warriors, where he missed all 10 of his shots in a Play-In Tournament loss.
Thompson’s Comeback
Initially, Thompson struggled, missing his first four shots, but he bounced back to score 14 points in the second half, going 4-for-5 from long range. The Mavericks improved their shooting significantly in the second half, finishing 13-for-21 from three, after a sluggish start where they made only 6-for-23 in the first half.
The key three-pointer after his chat with Romo contributed to a 16-3 run early in the fourth quarter, giving the Mavericks their first 20-point lead of the game. When asked about his shooting technique, Thompson explained, “When you’re getting ready to shoot the ball and you’re that wide open, sometimes you overthink it. I heard Luka was running down the floor, though. Happy I made it, and made him not look stupid.”
Overall Performance
In addition to his scoring, Thompson recorded seven rebounds and three steals. Luka Doncic also had a standout performance, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Thompson’s sole assist came when he faked a three-pointer before driving to pass the ball to Kyrie Irving, who scored another three-pointer on his way to 15 points.
“It’s easy to play with a guy like that,” Doncic said of Thompson. “It makes your life easier. It makes my life and Kai’s easier; it makes the whole team’s life easier. It’s a lot of space. It’s great.”
Thompson’s impressive performance not only set a new franchise record but also showcased his potential impact on the Mavericks this season, igniting hopes for a successful campaign.
