Steph Curry: 'I Hate' Seeing Klay Thompson in No. 31 Mavs Jersey After Warriors Exit

Longtime teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will face off for the first time as opponents when the Golden State Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, and Curry still hasn't adjusted to seeing Thompson in a Mavs jersey.

"It's weird seeing No. 31 (on it)," Curry told The Athletic's Anthony Slater. "I hate that."

Thompson and Curry helped lead the Warriors to four NBA championships during their 13-year run as teammates. After Thompson's role in Golden State diminished during the 2023-24 season, he chose to join Dallas this past offseason through a sign-and-trade. His return to the Bay Area for Tuesday's matchup is expected to be a dramatic scene.

"This will be as emotional as anything we've ever experienced, I think, in my time here," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Slater. "I think it'll be even more emotional than his return to play. Obviously now there's a finality to it and appreciation for everything he did hanging the banners, helping get the arena built, just being so beloved by everybody."

The Warriors announced that they will honor Thompson with a special "Salute Captain Klay" night in which captain's hats will be handed out to 18,064 fans to pay homage to Thompson's passion for boating and how he used to commute to the Chase Center by boat. A minute-long tribute video will be played before the 34-year-old is introduced as the Mavs' fifth starter, and Curry will say a few words before the game tips off.

Thompson is averaging 13.8 points in his first 10 games with Dallas (5-5). The team will be looking to end a two-game skid when it meets the 8-2 Warriors.