Klay has oddly subdued view on returning to face Warriors

Klay has oddly subdued view on returning to face Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

If Klay Thompson is looking forward to facing the Warriors on Tuesday night at Chase Center, the Dallas Mavericks guard is doing a great job hiding it.

The Warriors franchise icon makes his highly anticipated return to the Bay Area this week, and while the Warriors and Dub Nation are making a big deal out of the occasion, Thompson isn’t embracing the hype.

“Be good to see people that you grinded with obviously, but to me, it’s just another regular-season game in November,” Thompson told reporters after the Mavericks’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. “Obviously, there’s bigger implications with the NBA Cup. So, that’s what’s on my mind, just to win that because I haven’t been a part of it yet. I know it’s young but before to play for that title.”

Asked Klay Thompson about his return to San Francisco on Tuesday for his first game against the Warriors:

“It’ll be good to see people you grinded with obviously, but to me, it’s just another regular season game in November.” pic.twitter.com/Kf9KkUwfNP

— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) November 11, 2024

Everyone in the Bay Area circled Nov. 12 on the calendar when the schedule was released this summer, and emotions surely will be heightened when Thompson takes the court for pregame warm-ups, is introduced to the crowd before tip-off and whenever he touches the ball during the game.

But Thompson isn’t worried about having to compartmentalize his emotions.

“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Thompson told reporters. “And basketball is basketball.”

Thompson’s longtime Splash Brother, Steph Curry, had a much different reaction when asked on “Warriors Postgame Live” about the return of his former teammate.

“Don’t do this to me,” Curry told Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli after Golden State’s 127-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. “Don’t do this to me. I’m not ready for this man. It’s going to be a lot to look forward to and I’m excited to see him, obviously as a friend. But I’m trying to conserve all of my mental energy for Tuesday…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/klay-oddly-subdued-view-returning-192020287.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-11-11 19:20:00

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