DALLAS (AP) — Klay Thompson chatted up Tony Romo throughout a break early within the fourth quarter, not lengthy earlier than being so large open for a 3-pointer, he paused, dribbled as soon as, paused once more to line up the shot and made it.
The Dallas debut was fairly a bit higher than the finale from Thompson’s 13 seasons with Golden State.
Thompson set a franchise report in a debut with six 3-pointers and scored 22 factors taking part in alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the primary time Thursday evening within the Mavericks’ 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs within the opener for each groups.
“The sentiments have been a variety of nerves, anxiousness, for a couple of minutes, then you definately see one undergo and you’re feeling nice,” Thompson mentioned. “Nice debut. It’s just one sport in October, however it feels good to get the primary one out of the best way.”
After lacking all 10 of his photographs within the ultimate sport with the Warriors in a play-in event loss in April, Thompson made his first two with the defending Western Convention champions, each contained in the arc.
Just like the sluggish Dallas workforce that shot 36% within the first half, Thompson missed his subsequent 4 photographs earlier than hitting his first 3 in what turned out to be a preview of the second half.
Thompson scored 14 factors after the break and was 4 of 5 from lengthy vary, as Dallas went 13 of 21 from 3 after making simply 6 of 23 within the first half. The five-time All-Star and four-time champ with the Warriors additionally had seven rebounds and three steals.
The three after the chat with Romo, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback sitting courtside, got here throughout a 16-3 run early within the fourth quarter that gave the Mavericks their first 20-point lead.
Whereas the pause and the dribble have been one thing new for the Dallas crowd, Thompson mentioned he’s performed it often all through his profession.
“While you’re on the point of shoot the ball and also you’re that large open, typically you overthink it,” Thompson mentioned. “I heard Luka was operating down the ground, although. Glad I made it, and made him not look silly.”
Thompson completed 7 of 13 total and 6 of 10 from 3, whereas Doncic had 28 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The lone help for Thompson got here when he took a handoff coming off a display and regarded like he was going to tug up from 3. As an alternative, he drove briefly earlier than passing again to Irving, who hit the three on his strategy to 15 factors.
“It’s straightforward to play with a man like that,” Doncic mentioned of Thompson. “It makes your life simpler. It makes my life and Kai’s simpler, it makes the entire workforce’s life simpler. It’s a variety of area. It’s nice.”
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