Stephen Curry takes over the show in Klay Thompson’s emotional return to the Chase Center

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 37 points, including the final 12 for Golden State, as the Warriors beat Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks 120-117 on Tuesday night in the NBA Finals.

Thompson scored 22 points an emotional return to the Chase Center for the first time since he moved to Dallas in July.

Luka Doncic started and had 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists after the team ruled his left groin strain was healthy to play when he went through warmups.

The Warriors gave fans captain’s hats as a nod to Thompson’s tradition of driving his boat across the bay to games. Thompson hugged Curry just before the tip and his 3-pointer gave Dallas a 110-105 lead before his old Splash Brother took over.

Curry shot 14-for-27 with five 3s and added nine assists and six rebounds, also sparking a 20-3 spurt early in the third quarter.

Takeout

Mavericks: Derek Lively II, questionable to play with a sprained right shoulder, had 12 points and eight rebounds. Dallas committed 18 turnovers to the Warriors’ 21 points.

Warriors: Jonathan Cuminga had 16 points off the bench and Buddy Guild had 14. De’Anthony Melton had 14 for his third straight game in double figures.

The key point

After blocking Thompson’s three-pointer, Warriors guard Moses Moody tried to dunk Thompson at the 9:40 mark of the second quarter, blocked Thompson’s three-pointer, but was fouled hard and settled for a pair of free throws.

Thompson also spent time in the fourth quarter defending his replacement Hield.

Key statistics

Curry fouled Thompson 15 seconds into the game, and Thompson scored the first two points at the free throw line. But Thompson missed his first two field goal attempts before hitting a three-pointer with 1:26 left in the first quarter.

Further

The Mavericks travel to Utah to play the Jazz on Thursday night, while the Warriors host Memphis on Friday.

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