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DALLAS — The butterflies fluttered in Klay Thompson‘s abdomen for days earlier than Thursday evening’s preseason sport, his first NBA look that wasn’t in a Golden State Warriors uniform.
“I have never been that nervous, I do not assume, because the 2015 Finals Recreation 1,” Thompson stated after scoring 10 factors in 18 first-half minutes throughout the Mavs’ 107-102 loss to the Utah Jazz. “It felt so good simply to go on the market and play and work these jitters out. It was a brand new expertise, and it is a pure feeling once you’ve been someplace so lengthy and to be someplace new in a brand new setting. To lastly put the uniform on, it felt superb.”
Thompson spent the primary 13 seasons of his profession with the Warriors, taking part in a significant function in 4 NBA championships as half of the “Splash Brothers” alongside Stephen Curry. However he opted to affix Dallas as a free agent this summer season.
“I am simply excited to expertise a brand new chapter,” stated Thompson, who rested throughout the Mavs’ preseason opener Monday evening. “It should be particular. I simply understand it.”
Thursday was Thompson’s first time carrying No. 31 within the NBA, as his acquainted No. 11 belongs to Kyrie Irving in Dallas. Thompson selected his new quantity as a tribute to Corridor of Fame taking pictures guard Reggie Miller, a childhood favourite whom Thompson is more likely to cross for fifth place on the all-time 3-point record this season. However he additionally appreciates its historic relevance in Dallas. It was final worn for the Mavs by Jason Terry, the 2009 Sixth Man of the Yr who was a key a part of Dallas’ 2006 Finals crew and 2011 championship squad.
Terry, who was on the guests bench Thursday evening as a Jazz assistant coach, stated he approves of Thompson carrying his previous quantity.
“The truth that he received the scarf on, too, I am elated,” Terry advised ESPN, a reference to him carrying a scarf all through his profession. “All I stated [to Thompson] is all he owes me is to make some photographs. That is it. Do the quantity proper, that is it. Make some photographs. And he’ll do it. I believe he’ll play with lots to show. Clearly he did some nice issues, historic issues with Golden State, and he is trying to flip a web page and go to a different chapter and make one other mark on his legacy right here with Dallas.”
The American Airways Middle crowd roared when Thompson was launched with the Mavs’ beginning lineup. The house followers needed to wait till the second quarter for his first bucket, as he missed his first three shot makes an attempt from the ground throughout his nine-minute stint within the opening quarter, splitting a pair of free throws.
On the opening possession of the second quarter, after Thompson stated his nerves calmed throughout a short relaxation on the bench, he curled off an off-ball display and launched a catch-and-shoot jumper from a bit to the precise of the highest of the arc. He received a shooter’s bounce, because the ball lipped off the rim and kissed off the glass earlier than going within the basket. It was one in every of three 3-pointers he hit within the quarter.
“For him tonight, there’s a number of positives,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd stated. “He has some nice appears that all of us assume that he is able to making, however he simply by no means rushes. He by no means forces something. He in all probability turned down some photographs that we’d encourage for him to take, however we belief that he is making the precise choice.”
Thompson stated he felt some again tightness however could be prepared for Monday evening’s preseason sport on the LA Clippers.
Mavs famous person Luka Doncic, who has missed each preseason video games because of a left calf contusion, will sit out once more Monday however may take part within the “gown rehearsal” preseason finale Oct. 17 towards the Milwaukee Bucks, in line with Kidd.
