Klay Thompson: Mavericks Debut a ‘Great Start,’ Luka Dončić an ‘Incredible Talent’

Andrew PetersOctober 25, 2024

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Klay Thompson had an outstanding start with his new team on Thursday, as the Dallas Mavericks picked up a win against the San Antonio Spurs.

The former Golden State Warriors star was happy with his first game in Dallas, but the four-time champ knows there’s still work to do this season.

“Tonight was a great start, but I’m not satisfied,” he told reporters after the game. “There’s so much basketball ahead, and from the experience, you can never be too high in the regular season. … We want to be really, really good this year and get back to where they were at last year.”

Landon Thomas @sixfivelandoI asked Klay Thompson did tonight meet everything he envisioned when he visualized himself with the Dallas Mavericks.

“Tonight did. Tonight was a great start but I’m not satisfied… We want to be really really good this year and get back to where they were at last year.” pic.twitter.com/NVcCpWMKTm

Thompson had 22 points and seven boards, draining six of his 10 attempts from deep in his Maverick debut. While he left one of the best playmakers in the NBA behind in Golden State in Steph Curry, he is now playing with another outstanding playmaker in Luka Dončić, and he had nothing but praise for his new teammate.

“It was great to be out there with Luka,” Thompson said. “What an incredible talent. … (He) manipulates the game as good as I’ve ever seen anyone do it. It’s great to be a recipient of that and get great looks. Hopefully we can elevate each other’s games and our squad.”

Noah Weber @noahweber00Klay Thompson on playing with Luka Doncic:

“What an incredible talent…(He) manipulates the game as good as anyone I’ve ever seen do it. It’s great to be a recipient of that and get great looks. Hopefully we can elevate each other’s games…” pic.twitter.com/hsJyhKVoFH

The Mavs are coming off one of their best seasons of the past decade, reaching the NBA Finals before falling to the Boston Celtics in five games. The title window is wide open for Dallas, and adding a player like Thompson who knows a thing or two about winning titles should only help the Mavericks’ chances.

There are still 81 games left in the season, but Game 1 seemed to be a good indicator of the kind of season the Mavs are going to have.