Thompson finished with 22 points in an emotional return for the first time since he departed to join Dallas in July.

A sold-out Chase Center crowd, all wearing white captain’s hats, erupted when the Warriors’ public address announcer declared Thompson back. They saluted their caps after a 45-second video montage played, ending with a “Thank You, Klay” message. Both the Warriors and Mavericks players and coaches craned their necks to watch the tribute.

Klay Thompson exited the team bus and beamed as he strolled back into Chase Center on Tuesday night, greeted by some 400 cheering Warriors employees