Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Watch: Klay Thompson looks right at home in Mavericks debut

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 24, 2024 10:08 PM ET

It didn't take Klay Thompson long to warm up to his new surroundings.

After spending his first 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, the four-time NBA champion joined the Mavericks in free agency.

He made his Mavericks season debut on Thursday and was an instant difference-maker in a 120-109 win over the Spurs (0-1).

Thompson hit six threes and finished 7-of-13 from the court for 22 points, seven rebounds and a team-high three steals.

Per the NBA's social media team, Thompson's six made threes were the most by a Mavericks player in his debut with the organization.

WHAT A START to the @KlayThompson era in Dallas:

22 PTS on 7-13 FGM
7 REB, 3 STL

He sets a @dallasmavs record with 6 threes in his debut! pic.twitter.com/g3nQMBM9ty
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2024

It was also Thompson's most makes from beyond the arc in a season debut during his 14-year NBA career. His hot start should quell any concern about his fit next to Mavericks guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Thompson's first three came from the corner on a Doncic inbounds pass — he assisted on four of Thompson's six three-poiners — along the Spurs baseline. The five-time All-Star was much more efficient than his All-NBA teammates, who finished Dallas' opener with 43 points on 42 shot attempts.

With his performance on Thursday, Thompson has nailed 2,487 career threes, 74 shy of passing Hall of Famer Reggie Miller for the fifth-most in NBA history.

The Mavericks (1-0) won the Western Conference last season, defeating the Timberwolves in five games in the conference finals before losing in five to the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

While it's only one game, Thompson's outstanding Mavericks debut is a strong sign for Dallas' future.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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