Mavericks star Klay Thompson sheds light on his bond with former rival Kyrie Irving, revealing insights into their dynamic on and off the court.
Dallas Mavericks’ Klay Thompson and All-Star teammate Kyrie Irving, once fierce opponents in three consecutive NBA Finals, have now joined forces on the same side. Irving’s departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017 led to a shift in their relationship, as Thompson made a move from the Golden State Warriors to the Mavericks.
During their Finals clashes, Thompson’s Warriors emerged victorious twice out of the three encounters against Irving’s Cavaliers. Despite Irving’s absence, Cleveland continued their Finals streak but struggled against a dominant Warriors squad boasting stars like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green.
Thompson’s decision to switch to the Mavericks came after the Warriors missed the playoffs, while Dallas was fresh off a Finals appearance. In a surprising move, the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers midway through the 2024-25 season, marking a significant change for both teams.