•Curry’s late-game heroics help secure victory in Klay Thompson’s highly-anticipated return to Golden State.
In the closing seconds of a nail-biting matchup, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry faced off against Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, with just under 30 seconds left on the clock.
Dancing to the 3-point line, Curry found his rhythm, released the shot, and watched as it swished through the hoop. The celebration was instant: he turned to his iconic “Night Night” gesture, followed by a chest bump with Buddy Hield.
But Curry’s enthusiasm didn’t stop there. In a moment of pride, he pointed to his “Golden State” jersey, shouting passionately into a nearby TV camera.
When asked later, he admitted he couldn’t remember his exact words, but after reviewing the clip, he smiled and told ESPN, “You better stay here.”
This dagger helped the Warriors edge out the Mavericks 120-117 on Tuesday night, a game marked by Klay Thompson’s return after a summer departure following 13 seasons with the Warriors.
“When Steph is fired up like that, everyone falls in line,” said Draymond Green, acknowledging Curry’s contagious energy.
Curry scored 23 of his season-high 37 points in the second half alone, with 12 coming in the final four minutes, erasing a six-point deficit and propelling Golden State to victory.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, seasoned in watching Curry’s clutch performances, simply said, “It never gets old. You just think every shot is going in.”
A key moment came with 2:40 left, as Draymond Green screened to free Curry from Luka Doncic’s defense, leading to a deep 3-pointer.
Minutes later, Curry added a scoop layup, followed by the 3-pointer that ignited the “Night Night” celebration. Reflecting on the gesture, Curry joked about the timing: “It was a little premature, but thankfully I’m still undefeated on the ‘Night Night.’”
Dallas’ Quentin Grimes responded with a 3-pointer, tightening the score to a one-point game with 20 seconds left, but the Warriors held their ground. Curry finished shooting 14-of-27, including 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, alongside nine rebounds and two steals.
For the Warriors, maintaining control and utilizing decisive pick-and-rolls in the final stretch was crucial. Luka Doncic remarked, “We could’ve guarded him better, but it’s Steph Curry—sometimes there’s nothing you can do.”
Klay Thompson, having been on both sides of Curry’s shooting streaks, summed it up best: “It hurts to be on the other side of one of his flurries.”