SAN FRANCISCO — In an exhilarating NBA Cup game on Tuesday night, Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a thrilling 120-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 37 points, with his final 12 points coming in clutch moments. This game marked a significant occasion as Klay Thompson returned to the Chase Center for the first time since leaving Golden State to join Dallas in July, where he contributed 22 points to his new team.
Before the game, Luka Doncic was given the green light to play despite concerns regarding a left groin strain. He delivered an impressive performance, tallying 31 points, alongside eight rebounds and six assists, showcasing his determination after going through a successful warm-up.
The Warriors honored Thompson by giving out captain hats to fans, a nod to his tradition of making a boat journey across the bay for games. Moments before the game started, Thompson warmly embraced Curry. Thompson’s 3-pointer initially put Dallas ahead 110-105, but Curry soon took control, delivering a spectacular performance.
Curry’s shooting was noteworthy, going 14 for 27 from the field and sinking five three-pointers. He also provided nine assists and pulled down six rebounds, kickstarting a 20-3 run that propelled Golden State at the beginning of the third quarter.
For the Mavericks, Dereck Lively II, who was a game-time decision due to a sprained right shoulder, managed to score 12 points and grab eight rebounds, but the team struggled overall with turnovers, committing 18, which the Warriors capitalized on for 21 points.
Jonathan Kuminga came off the bench for the Warriors and added 16 points, while Buddy Hield also contributed 14 points. De’Anthony Melton continued his scoring streak, chipping in another 14 points in what was his third consecutive game scoring in double digits.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred in the second quarter when Warriors guard Moses Moody, fresh off blocking one of Thompson’s 3-point attempts, attempted to dunk on Thompson. Moody took a hard foul but made good by hitting both free throws shortly thereafter. Later in the game, Thompson spent considerable time in the fourth quarter defending Hield.
A notable statistic from the game emerged when Curry committed a foul on Thompson just 15 seconds into the game, allowing Thompson to score the opening points at the free-throw line. However, Thompson struggled early, missing his first two shots from the field before hitting a much-needed three-pointer with 1:26 left in the first quarter.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks are set to face off against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, while the Warriors will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.