peso luck NBA: Klay Thompson sets 3s record for Mavericks debut

Dallas Mavericks’ guard Klay Thompson drives to the basket during the second half in an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

DALLAS — Klay Thompson chatted up Tony Romo during a break early in the fourth quarter, not long before being so wide open for a 3-pointer, he paused, dribbled once, paused again to line up the shot and made it.

The Dallas debut was quite a bit better than the finale from Thompson’s 13 seasons with Golden State.

Article continues after this advertisement

Thompson set a franchise record in a debut with six 3-pointers and scored 22 points playing alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the first time Thursday night in the Mavericks’ 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the opener for both teams.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS NBA finds missed Warriors' free throw actually went in SPORTS NBA: Klay Thompson sets 3s record for Mavericks debut SPORTS Spikers' Turf: Savouge stuns Cignal in five-set thriller

READ: NBA: Klay Thompson believes he could be Mavericks’ missing piece

WHAT A START to the @KlayThompson era in Dallas:

🔥 22 PTS on 7-13 FGM🔥 7 REB, 3 STL

He sets a @dallasmavs record with 6 threes in his debut! pic.twitter.com/g3nQMBM9ty

— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024

“The feelings were a lot of nerves, anxiousness, for a few minutes, then you see one go through and you feel great,” Thompson said. “Great debut. It’s only one game in October, but it feels good to get the first one out of the way.”

Article continues after this advertisement

After missing all 10 of his shots in the final game with the Warriors in a play-in tournament loss in April, Thompson made his first two with the defending Western Conference champions, both inside the arc.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: NBA: Doncic, Irving talking Mavericks title with Klay Thompson

Like the sluggish Dallas team that shot 36% in the first half, Thompson missed his next four shots before hitting his first 3 in what turned out to be a preview of the second half.

Article continues after this advertisement

Klay Thompson scored 14 points after the break and was 4 of 5 from long range, as Dallas went 13 of 21 from 3 after making just 6 of 23 in the first half. The five-time All-Star and four-time champ with the Warriors also had seven rebounds and three steals.

The 3 after the chat with Romo, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback sitting courtside, came during a 16-3 run early in the fourth quarter that gave the Mavericks their first 20-point lead.

While the pause and the dribble were something new for the Dallas crowd, Thompson said he’s done it occasionally throughout his career.

“When you’re getting ready to shoot the ball and you’re that wide open, sometimes you overthink it,” Thompson said. “I heard Luka was running down the floor, though. Happy I made it, and made him not look stupid.”

Thompson finished 7 of 13 overall and 6 of 10 from 3, while Doncic had 28 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The lone assist for Thompson came when he took a handoff coming off a screen and looked like he was going to pull up from 3. Instead, he drove briefly before passing back to Irving, who hit the 3 on his way to 15 points.

“It’s easy to play with a guy like thatpeso luck,” Doncic said of Thompson. “It makes your life easier. It makes my life and Kai’s easier, it makes the whole team’s life easier. It’s a lot of space. It’s great.”

READ NEXT No NCAA Season 100 games on Friday due to Kristine Rachel Anne Daquis returns to PVL, joins Farm Fresh Foxies EDITORS' PICK Kristine accelerates, maintains strength outside PAR Baseload power is vital for reliability and security UNIS, BINI, SB19 donate, join efforts to help Typhoon Kristine victims 529 tourists stranded, 14 tourist sites damaged due to Kristine – DOT LIVE UPDATES: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine Metro Manila down to Signal No. 1; 18 Luzon areas still under Signal No. 2 MOST READ LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Leon DBM OKs earlier release of gov’t workers’ yearend bonus, cash gift Tropical Storm Kong-rey to enter PAR on Sunday, to be named Leon LTO airs side on LTMS issue Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• NBA
• peso luck
• Klay
• Thompson
• sets