Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, middle left, looks to drive to the basket while being defended by Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Stephen Curry spoiled Klay Thompson’s return to San Francisco with a game-high 37 points, including 12 straight in a late flurry that lifted the Golden State Warriors to a 120-117 victory over the visiting Dallas Mavericks in an NBA Cup opener Tuesday night.
Thompson turned back the clock with 22 points, and Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 52 more, but the Mavericks scored only three points over the final 3:29 after taking a 114-108 lead.
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Curry did all the Golden State scoring after that, including an interior hoop that put the Warriors on top for good at 115-114 with 1:50 remaining and a 3-pointer — followed by his trademark night-night gesture — to create a four-point lead with 27.5 seconds left.
READ: NBA: Warriors to honor Klay Thompson in return to Chase Center
Quentin Grimes kept Dallas’ hopes alive with a 3-pointer six seconds later, but Curry followed that with two free throws and Doncic missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left.
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A four-time champion in 13 seasons for the Warriors, Thompson responded to a pregame video tribute and massive ovation from his old fans to bomb in six 3-pointers in 12 attempts. He had eight of his points in a stretch that saw the Mavericks turn a two-point deficit into a 110-105 lead with 5:17 left.
Daniel Gafford then had two hoops, sandwiching a De’Anthony Melton 3-pointer, to create Dallas’ late six-point lead that set the stage for Curry’s late heroics.
READ: NBA: Stephen Curry puts up 27 as red-hot Warriors dump Celtics
Thompson’s longtime “Splash Brother” partner Curry shot 14-for-27 overall and 5-for-12 on 3-pointers. He also found time for six rebounds and a game-high nine assists.
Jonathan Kuminga added 16 points for the Warriors, who won for the seventh time in their last eight games, while Buddy Hield and Melton had 14 apiece, and Draymond Green 11 to go with seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Kevon Looney contributed a game-high 11 rebounds to the cause.
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Doncic paced the Mavericks, who lost their third straight, with 31 points to complement eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Irving chipped in with 21 points with six assists, while Gafford had 15 and Dereck Lively II 12 to go with eight rebounds. –Field Level Media
