San Francisco — For Klay Thompson’s anticipated homecoming, the Warriors brainstormed ideas to celebrate one of the most revered athletes in Bay Area history. They settled on giving away captain’s hats to every fan, and playing a tribute video for Thompson before he gets announced last in pregame warmups.
It’s an emotional night for a franchise that has been through so much in the “Golden era.” Thompson still is that important to the Warriors organization, and it showed.
Former Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson acknowledges staff lined up with Captain Klay hats as he arrives with the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) runs on to the floor for warmups before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) makes a shot during warmups before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) reacts as he watches a tribute video in his honor before their game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Fans with Captain Klay hats hold up signs in honor of Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) and Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) hug one another before the tipoff of the NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) reacts as he watches a tribute video in his honor before their game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) and Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) hug one another before the tipoff of the NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) lays up a three-point basket in front of Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody (4) in the third quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) drives to the hoop against Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (22) in the third quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) dribbles past Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) in the second quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) and Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) fight on a rebound in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) drives to the hoop against Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (22) in the third quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) gestures after making a three-point basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield (7) makes a basket against the Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) in the second quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Dallas Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford (21) and Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) disagree with the referee’s call after an offensive foul on Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green (23) in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) in the third quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) and Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson (31) hug one another after their Warriors 120–117 win at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)