In a thrilling NBA Cup matchup on Tuesday night, Stephen Curry delivered a clutch performance, scoring 37 points—including Golden State’s final 12—to propel the Warriors past the Dallas Mavericks 120-117.
Curry’s late-game heroics helped the Warriors erase a five-point deficit and secure the victory in a game that was as much about emotions as it was about basketball.
The game was full of storylines, with the most poignant being Klay Thompson’s return to Chase Center for the first time since his departure to Dallas in July. Thompson, who was greeted by a warm tribute from the fans—including captain hats handed out in honor of his tradition of taking a boat across the bay to games—finished with 22 points, but it was Curry’s dominant second-half performance that overshadowed his former Splash Brother’s return.
Luka Dončić, who had been recovering from a left groin strain, was cleared to play and started for Dallas, contributing 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Dončić’s return was a key moment for the Mavericks, but despite his efforts, Dallas struggled to contain the Warriors’ offense in the closing minutes. The game was tied at 110 with just over two minutes remaining, and from there, Curry took over, scoring the final 12 points for Golden State, including a clutch 3-pointer and several key assists.
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The Warriors, who started the game sluggishly, turned it on in the third quarter with a 20-3 run, a stretch sparked by Curry’s scoring and leadership. He finished the game shooting 14-for-27 from the field, including five 3-pointers. In addition to his scoring, Curry contributed nine assists and six rebounds, proving his all-around value in the win. Jonathan Kuminga added 16 points off the bench, while Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton chipped in 14 points each, with Melton continuing his strong play in his third straight game in double figures.
For the Mavericks, Thompson’s emotional return was a highlight, but the team was hurt by turnovers, committing 18, which led to 21 points for the Warriors. Rookie Dereck Lively II, who was questionable to play due to a sprained shoulder, contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, showing resilience in his first game back from injury. However, it was the Mavericks’ inability to get stops down the stretch that ultimately cost them the game.
The key moment of the night came in the second quarter when Warriors guard Moses Moody, after blocking a 3-pointer from Thompson, tried to dunk on him in transition. Moody was fouled hard by Thompson, and after hitting both free throws, he ignited a momentum shift that the Warriors would not relinquish. Despite Thompson’s defensive efforts in the fourth quarter—where he found himself guarding Hield at times—the Mavericks were unable to stop Curry and the Warriors’ offensive barrage.
Thompson’s individual performance had an interesting start. After Curry fouled him just 15 seconds into the game, Thompson went to the line and hit the first two points of the contest. However, he missed his first two field-goal attempts before hitting a 3-pointer late in the first quarter, signaling that it would be a night full of emotional highs and competitive lows for the former Warrior.
In addition to Curry’s fireworks, Golden State benefited from solid team play and depth, including a strong performance from their bench. The Warriors’ ability to distribute the ball and capitalize on Dallas’ mistakes—especially the turnovers—played a crucial role in their victory. With Curry orchestrating the offense and the team shooting 48.9% from the field, Golden State’s offensive potency was too much for the Mavericks to overcome.
Key Stat: Stephen Curry scored the final 12 points for the Warriors, finishing with 37 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds in a complete, game-winning performance.
Key Moment: After a block on Thompson’s 3-pointer, Moses Moody’s hard-fought free throws and transition play sparked a momentum shift that propelled Golden State to a second-half rally.
Up Next:
- The Dallas Mavericks will travel to Utah to face the Jazz on Thursday night as they look to bounce back from a narrow loss.
- The Golden State Warriors will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, aiming to build on this dramatic win.