Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a narrow 120-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in a gripping NBA Cup game, scoring 37 points, including the final 12 for his team. Former Warriors star Klay Thompson, now with the Mavericks, finished with 22 points in his emotional return to Chase Center since leaving Golden State. Curry’s clutch play and Thompson’s spirited performance made the night unforgettable for fans.
Dallas’ Luka Dončić contributed 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, showing no signs of a recent groin strain. Curry, who shot 14-for-27 and hit five 3-pointers, led a decisive 20-3 Warriors run to open the third quarter. On the other side, Thompson put Dallas up 110-105 with a late 3-pointer, but Curry soon took over.
The Mavericks committed 18 turnovers, allowing Golden State to capitalize with 21 points. Warriors bench players Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and De’Anthony Melton made strong contributions, with Hield and Melton scoring 14 points each. Rookie Dereck Lively II also stepped up for Dallas, adding 12 points and eight rebounds despite a sprained shoulder.
Thompson’s playful shimmy after a three in the second quarter brought levity to the intense competition. When Curry was asked postgame about Thompson’s shimmy, he laughed and said, “He knows better than that.” The former Splash Brothers kept the atmosphere light but competitive, with Thompson remarking afterward how surreal it felt to guard Curry in a real NBA game, yet ultimately just “fun basketball.”