By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The story was about Klay Thompson playing his first game in Chase Center with the Dallas Mavericks until Stephen Curry scored the last 12 points of the Golden State Warriors to secure a win, 120-117. The 36-year-old point guard netted a game-high 37 points.
It was an emotional evening for 34-year-old Thompson, a four-time NBA champion with the Warriors. He finished with 22 points, including six three-pointers, but he was not enough. The team coached by Jason Kidd fell to 5-6 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season and 0-1 in West Group C of the Emirates NBA Cup.
Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic was initially questionable due to a left groin strain but received medical clearance to play on Tuesday. He lasted just over 41 minutes, scored 31 points with 13/27 field goals, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out six assists, and registered three steals. German Maxi Kleber (right hamstring strain) was active but did not play.
Starting West Group A with a win, the Portland Trail Blazers took down the Minnesota Timberwolves, 122-108, in Moda Center. “We showed some character,” Israeli Deni Avdija praised his side after tallying 17 points, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the third quarter. He added five assists, four rebounds, one block, and one steal.
Belgian starter Toumani Camara chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. French Rayan Rupert had two points, two rebounds, and one assist.
For the Wolves, French Rudy Gobert packed nine points, eight rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal.