Stephen Curry reflects on the joy and awkwardness of battling former Splash Brother Klay Thompson in a charged Christmas clash at Chase Center.
Christmas at Chase Center delivered a surreal scene as Curry lined up opposite Thompson in a regular-season game for the first time since the sharpshooter’s move to Dallas.
The Warriors beat the Mavericks 126-116, yet the night felt less like a routine win and more like a reunion layered with nostalgia and unease.
Curry had already admitted he wished Thompson was still with Golden State, echoing head coach Steve Kerr, who said he would never get used to seeing Klay on the other side. The sight of Thompson coming off the bench in a Mavericks uniform underscored how far the Warriors dynasty has shifted from its peak years.
Curry’s Personal Tribute to Klay
Any doubt about how much Thompson still means to Curry was answered through a subtle gesture. Curry laced up Thompson’s Anta signature shoes for the marquee matchup, scoring 23 points while passing the 26,000-point mark. The footwear choice served as a quiet tribute to the teammate who helped define his career.
Thompson noticed immediately and later called it awesome, joking that he wished Curry had not earned a win in those shoes. Their postgame embrace captured the tension between competition and brotherhood that framed the entire night.
Splash Brothers Legacy and an Uncertain Future
Around the league, the Christmas meeting felt like a living reminder of a fading dynasty that once reshaped offenses through Curry and Thompson’s shooting. Kerr has openly described Golden State as a fading dynasty and admitted he still misses Klay, while reports suggest those close to Thompson believe a reunion remains possible before his career ends.
Curry’s influence inside the organization only fuels that speculation. For now, he balances the pursuit of another run in blue and gold with the strange reality of competing against the same player who helped hang four banners in the Bay.