Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson met at midcourt for a brief, quiet exchange before Thursday night’s Warriors vs Heat game at Chase Center, a moment that resonated with fans witnessing the reunion of the Splash Brothers on opposite sides for the first time in years.
The two former Golden State teammates shared a few words amid the pregame warmups, with fans filing into the arena around them. The encounter was captured by KNBR and shared by ClutchPoints, recalling a familiar sight for Warriors supporters who watched the duo win four NBA championships together over 13 seasons.
Thompson left Golden State in 2024 after a long stretch with the Warriors, spending two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before reaching a buyout agreement in August. He then signed a two-year deal with the Miami Heat, setting up this emotional return to Chase Center as an opponent.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said it still feels strange to see Thompson and Andrew Wiggins in other uniforms. “Those first couple times are really bizarre, and then you get used to it. And it’s a reminder that most of us in the NBA end up with multiple teams. It’s so rare to play with one team,” Kerr said. He added, “You end up competing against friends and sometimes even family.”
Kerr also called both players “wonderful human beings and great teammates” who contributed significantly to the Warriors’ championship runs.
Thompson arrives in good form after a 30-point night in Miami’s 117-116 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. His performance included eight 3-pointers and a go-ahead triple with one second left in extra time. That was Thompson’s first 30-point game since April 2024, when he was still a Warrior.
Curry also enters the matchup in strong shape, scoring 34 points in Golden State’s 116-113 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday. The Warriors have won five straight games and hold a 5-3 record on the season. The Heat, meanwhile, are 3-5 and playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Thursday’s game marks Thompson’s first appearance at Chase Center as a Heat player. The pregame moment between Curry and Thompson showed the bond between the two remains intact despite the change in teams. Both players moved quickly back to their respective sides after the exchange, focusing on the game ahead.
This brief interaction came before tipoff, setting a personal tone for a matchup between two teams with contrasting records and fresh storylines.
According to Yahoo Sports.
