Although Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have played against one another numerous times since the famed Splash Brothers parted with the latter’s defection to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, it doesn’t mean that their subsequent matchups are any less emotional. In fact, Curry admitted he will never get used to seeing Thompson don a jersey other than the one he wears.
The latest reunion between Curry and Thompson occurred on Christmas Day when the Mavs visited the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center. Although the Chef relished picking up a 126-116 win over his former teammate and good buddy, he couldn’t help but grow pensive the moment he saw Thompson step on the hardwood.
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A sentimental moment
Nobody can blame Curry for feeling that way. After all, he shared the backcourt with Thompson for 13 seasons, working with one another to elevate the Dubs to new heights. With Curry and Thompson tormenting opposing defenses with their long-range sniping, the Warriors went from laughingstocks of the league to setting the bar of excellence high. With four championships in eight years, Curry and Thompson cemented their place in NBA history as one of the greatest backcourts ever to grace the court.
On that Christmas Day, seeing Klay in the Bay Area sent a wave of memories rushing back for Curry. He couldn’t help but think about all the moments they shared on and off the court, from late-night conversations to postgame celebrations. It was a reminder of how much they had come in their careers and personal lives, and how they had pushed each other to be the best versions of themselves.
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“Very sentimental moment, I’m sure, anytime we’re in the same, you know, space, and you know Draymond included. So that was cool for sure,” Curry said during the postgame media availability session.
Klay will always be part of Steph’s journey
Klay is already playing in his second season for Dallas. Yet, for Steph, the sight of his friend in navy blue and white digs will never be something he’ll get used to.
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“It will never be normal, you know, seeing him somewhere else,” Steph declared.
Steph, though, knows he can’t dwell on the past, especially during a season in which the Warriors are struggling to gather momentum. Though he knows his decorated career is nearing its end, the Baby-Faced Assassin is keen on checking off a few more aspirations before he hangs up his jersey.
“We’re all trying to deal with the here and now, and we’re such competitors that no matter what position you’re in or situation you’re in with your teams, you still feel like you can win, and you have a lot to accomplish,” he said. “So it’s a great reminder of the journey, but you don’t really put too much extra emphasis on it. That time will come down the road.”
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Meanwhile, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was much blunter about his feelings toward Klay.
“I’ll never get used to seeing Klay on the other side,” Kerr stressed. “I miss Klay. I wish he was still here.”
In an ideal world, Klay would still be playing in the Bay Area, cherishing the final days of his brilliant career with the very same franchise he helped launch into the NBA elite. But the NBA is far from ideal; it’s a multi-billion-dollar business with no room for sentimentality. Despite this, Klay remains a beloved figure in the Bay Area and will always have a place in the hearts of the Warriors faithful and the people he once called teammates.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.