SAN FRANCISCO – The Dallas Mavericks had plenty to be distracted by.

The evening featured a celebration for Klay Thompson and a high-stakes NBA Cup opener that raised the level of competition between two teams that no longer needed a reason to leave with a win.

The Mavericks wanted to avoid a third straight loss while also giving Thompson the homecoming he wanted with a win. The Warriors looked to continue their dominant start to the season as one of the top teams in the NBA, while sending their former teammate away with a loss.

The latter was the end result, as Dallas couldn’t overcome Stephen Curry’s elite shotmaking in the fourth quarter, leading to a 120-117 loss on Tuesday night.

Curry danced off his dribble with Dereck Lively II draped over him before launching a three-point heave to give the Warriors a four-point lead with 27 seconds left. The Warriors star placed his hands under his head to symbolize his popular “Night, Night” celebration. Dallas countered quickly and Quentin Grimes drilled a 3-pointer when he fell on the court with 21 seconds left. The Mavericks thought Grimes had been fouled, but the play continued. A few Curry free throws later, the Mavericks were officially put to bed.

Thompson and Curry embraced at midcourt after the final buzzer, the lasting image of a night full of praise for Thompson. Five minutes earlier, it looked like Thompson would lead the Mavericks to a much-needed win. He hit his sixth three-pointer of the night over Curry to give the Mavericks a five-point lead with just over five minutes remaining. Thompson covered his eyes with his hands to mimic three-point glasses to celebrate the momentum-shifting score.

Thompson scored a season-high 22 points in his return to San Francisco, second to Luka Doncic’s team-high 31. After a quiet scoring night through the first three quarters, Kyrie Irving increased his offensive assertiveness, scoring nine of his 21 points in the first three quarters. fourth quarter to help the Mavericks erase a 13-point deficit from the Warriors.

It was the first time all season that Doncic, Irving and Thompson scored at least 20 points.

Thompson had several moments that made his former fanbase cheer. He honored Curry’s signature shimmy celebration after his second triple of the night.

Thompson’s former Golden State Warriors teammates relished the opportunity to play against him for the first time since he chose to join the Mavericks. Draymond Green forced Thompson into a 3-pointer that missed the entire rim and erupted with a shout midway through the third quarter.

The Mavericks were once again engaged in a competitive game on Tuesday night, but this time it was one with greater implications for the end result. Dallas falls to 5-6 overall and 0-1 in group play of the second annual NBA Cup.

The Mavericks will take their three-game trip to Salt Lake City to conclude their three-leg road trip against the Utah Jazz, who currently have the second-worst record in the NBA.

For Dallas’ sake, the timing couldn’t have come at a better time.

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