Steph Curry and Klay Thompson squared off Thursday night for the eighth time in opposing uniforms. But it was a matchup earlier in the week that really got their competitive juices flowing.
A few days before Curry led the Warriors to a comeback win over Thompson’s Heat, he notched another victory via the former teammates’ collegiate proxies. In a battle of Splash Brother alma maters, Davidson opened its season Monday night with a win over Washington State.
“There was a healthy monetary value to that,” Curry quipped after Golden State’s 120-100 win.
Thompson confirmed that he most definitely heard from Curry after his Cougars took a 76-61 home loss to the Wildcats. In fact, that was all he heard leading into their own showdown.
“The only conversations we’ve had are Davidson beating the Washington State Cougars and me getting the best end of that bet,” Curry said. “It actually snuck up on me. I knew the schedule, but the day before, I texted him, just, ‘It’s a great day in basketball history that the Wildcats are headed up to the Palouse to play his team.’ … Glad I came out on the right side.”
A few days later, Curry came out on top again.
Golden State fell behind by double digits in the first half for the fourth consecutive game but pulled out its sixth win in a row. Curry finished one shy of his fourth straight 30-point game.
“What Steph’s doing,” Thompson said, “I might not have appreciated it as much as his teammate because I got to see it every night so it became normal, but to see it as an opponent, it’s incredible, especially that he’s nearing 40 and moves like a young athlete.”
Thompson, averaging 24.7 over his previous three games, was contained to 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting. He had been 19-for-36 from 3 over his past three games but drained only two of his seven attempts from distance, including an air ball on his contested first heave.
In a twist on their previous matchups, the old Splash Brothers ended up defending each other for a good portion of the game. Thompson drained one of his 3s on Curry and picked up another three points at the foul line after getting Curry to bite on a pump fake.
Only two of Curry’s 19 attempts came against Thompson. He beat him on one drive to the basket with an up-and-under, and Thompson got the upper hand on the other with a block.
“It’s still surreal playing against him,” Curry said. “It’s always gonna be that way cause we’ve gone through so many battles together. And it’s kind of cool even at this stage to guard him.
“You’ve been on the other side of it for so long, so there’s an appreciation there. I think mostly it’s just an excitement of the fact that we’re still able to have battles. You know that every one that you get is one closer to the end. So you try to appreciate it even though there’s definitely a competitive spirit out there.”
Still, the loss could only sour the night so much.
“It still feels special every time,” Thompson said after his fifth trip back, “especially receiving the love from the fanbase and seeing people that I spent years with. It’ll always feel like home. …
“It was fun, really fun. Steph’s super crafty, still to this day. It felt good to block his shot. He made a great up and under on me. He had an incredible night.”
Thompson lamented Miami’s tough travel schedule, playing at Golden State a night after knocking off the Clippers in double overtime. Thompson’s corner 3 at the buzzer sealed the win.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that he had been watching live.
Curry was tuned in, too.
“I texted Draymond [Green] right after,” Curry said. “Just told him Killa Klay. It’s always great to see him having fun but then you obviously wanted to come in and shut his water off tonight.”
