Christmas Day at Chase Center was loaded with emotion—the kind that only the NBA can deliver on a holiday stage. The Golden State Warriors hosted the struggling Dallas Mavericks in a matchup headlined not just by the game itself, but by the return of a legend: Klay Thompson, facing his old team for the first time on December 25. What unfolded was a 126-116 Warriors win that improved their record and kept playoff hopes alive, but the real story was the heartfelt sentiments from coach Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry, who both made it clear—they wish their Splash Brother was still splashing threes in the Bay Area.
Golden State Warriors
The game tipped off with all eyes on Thompson, who received a massive ovation from the Chase Center crowd when he checked in during the first quarter. Fans cheered loudly for the man who helped deliver four championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) during his 13-year tenure with Golden State (2011-2024). Klay, now 35 and coming off the bench for a Mavericks team mired in a 12-20 start, struggled mightily, finishing with just 7 points on inefficient shooting. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg led Dallas with a game-high 27-29 points, but it wasn’t enough against a balanced Warriors attack that saw strong contributions from their supporting cast, including standout performances that stole the show from the anticipated Splash Brothers reunion.
Postgame, Steve Kerr didn’t hold back when asked if he’s gotten used to seeing Thompson in a different uniform. “I’ll never get used to seeing Klay on the other side,” Kerr told reporters. “I miss Klay. Wish he was still here.” Those words hit hard for Dubs fans, echoing the coach’s deep connection with Thompson, who arrived in the Bay three years before Kerr took over in 2014. Together, they built a dynasty, with Klay averaging 19.6 points on elite shooting (45.3% FG, 41.3% 3PT), earning five All-Star nods and two All-NBA selections.
Stephen Curry, who paid tribute by wearing Thompson’s ANTA signature shoes (the KT 11, with a nod to his four rings), shared similar feelings. “It will never be normal seeing him somewhere else,” Curry reflected, calling the reunion “very sentimental.” He even left the door open for a potential return: “It would be unbelievable… If that time comes, of course I’m calling him and saying, ‘We want you back.'” Curry knows the reality—Thompson left in 2024 free agency on a three-year, $50 million deal with Dallas, chasing a contender alongside Luka Dončić. But circumstances flipped dramatically when the Mavericks shockingly traded Dončić to the Lakers in February 2025 for Anthony Davis, derailing the team’s trajectory. Dallas missed the playoffs last season and is off to another rough start this year.
Thompson’s season has been tough: averaging around 11 points on sub-37% shooting, a far cry from his prime. Trade rumors have swirled, with reports indicating Dallas’ front office plans to explore his market ahead of the February 5 deadline—his $17 million salary next year could complicate moves, but Klay has expressed a desire to play for a true contender. While no direct links to Golden State have surfaced, the mutual admiration is clear, and in the NBA, stranger reunions have happened.
For Warriors fans, this Christmas win was sweet on the court but poignant off it—a reminder of what was, and perhaps what could be again. The dynasty may be fading, but the love for Klay Thompson in the Bay? That’s eternal. Dub Nation, what do you think—time for a Splash Brothers sequel?