On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 34-year-old men’s professional basketball player Klay Thompson, a small forward for the Dallas Mavericks, returned to the Golden State to play his former team, the Golden State Warriors, for the first time since he left in July 2024.
Here is a closer look at why Thompson’s return to the Chase Centre for an NBA Cup match was personal for former teammate and ‘Splash Brother,’ 36-year-old GSW point guard Steph Curry.
A brief history of the ‘Splash Brothers’
Since turning pro and being drafted into the NBA, Steph Curry has only played for one team – the Golden State Warriors, where he still plays today. Klay Thompson joined GSW in 2011 and spent thirteen years there before finally leaving in July 2024 to join the Dallas Mavericks.
While playing together, Curry and Thompson became known as the ‘Splash Brothers’ because they could splash the ball into the net, especially on three-pointers.
They did so on countless occasions, and numerous sports betting fans worldwide made plenty of money on the duo when placing wagers on them during their time together at GSW.
The duo also combined to set various NBA records and were considered among the NBA’s greatest shooters and one of the greatest backcourts in the sport’s history.
While playing for the Golden State Warriors, they appeared in six NBA finals and won four NBA championships, and some of their most notable records as a pair (duo) include the following in numbers:
- 678 (which beat the previous record of 525) – most three-pointers made in a season
- 258 – most career three-pointers made by a duo in NBA Finals history
- 1,119 – most career three-pointers made by a duo in NBA playoffs history
- 6,228 – most career three-pointers made by a duo in NBA history
- 1,568 – most three-pointers attempted in an NBA season
- 178 – most three-pointers made in an NBA season
They are also the only duo in NBA history to make at least three six-pointers in consecutive NBA Finals games, make at least 400 combined three-pointers in successive seasons, make at least 300 three-pointers in a season, make at least 500 combined three-pointers in consecutive seasons, make at least 600 combined three-pointers in a season, and make at least 150 combined three-pointers in consecutive playoff seasons.
That’s not all.
They shared the record for most three-pointers made in a playoff season (98), the most 40-point games with at most one free throw attempted (3), and the most consecutive playoff games with at least six three-pointers made (3).
They are the only NBA duo ever to record multiple 50-point games with at most three free throws attempted and the only duo to make at least 250 three-pointers in a season. They also hold [or share] several other impressive basketball/BA records.
Why was Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area personal for Steph Curry?
The duo spent so much time together that it was always going to be emotional for Steph Curry when he eventually played against his former teammate, with whom he spent thirteen years of his career at GSW, and the same for Thompson.
They had achieved so much success together, so playing on opposite sides for the first time was a historical moment for them both.
Curry had planned to address the crowd in their first meeting at the Chase Center before tip-off. However, both Thompson and Klay agreed not to proceed with the idea. He [Curry] explained why it was scrapped after the game, which saw GSW beat the travelling Dallas Mavericks 120 – 117.
Curry put in great effort to make the evening all about former GSW star Thompson, except during the match. There was a brief tribute video showcasing his finest moments, and there was mutual respect between the fans, players, and Thompson.
GSW fans took this moment to acknowledge everything that Thompson had achieved during his time at GSW and how he had helped the franchise grow.
Curry felt that the video and fan reaction would speak volumes and that a speech about his former teammate wasn’t necessary.
Final thoughts
Curry and the Warriors came out on top against former teammate Thomson, with Curry putting on an excellent display of raw talent against his former Splash Brother. The Dallas Mavericks are currently the fourth odds-on favourites to win the 2024/25 NBA Championship outright, and the Golden State Warriors are only the seventh odds-on favourites to win the championship this year.
It will undoubtedly be the first of many fixtures where the two will play against each other over the next two years.
It will always be interesting to watch how they go up against each other and whether the friendship and respect will remain or one day disappear. A new rivalry could form, or there will always be mutual respect between Thompson, Curry, and the GSW fans. We will have to wait and see.