Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry will likely never forget December 14, 2021. It’s the day he passed Ray Allen on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers list, and he did it at Madison Square Garden, also known as the world’s most famous arena. However, it wasn’t the same without Klay Thompson next to him.

Curry and Thompson have developed a strong bond over the years. They are the best shooting backcourt in NBA history and have won three championships together. Neither All-Star gets jealous of the other, which is why they haven’t had trouble co-existing like other superstars.

Thompson made his grand return to the Warriors’ lineup on January 9 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Curry got goosebumps when Thompson’s name was called during starting lineups. The two-time MVP severely missed his Splash Brother, so much so that he paid him a heartfelt tribute on December 14.

Stephen Curry hung Klay Thompson’s jersey when he made history

According to Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports, Curry hung Thompson’s jersey in the locker room when he broke Allen’s record to feel his presence at Madison Square Garden. That’s how much Thompson means to Curry.

“It was amazing to honor him even though he wasn’t there. I’m not the shooter that I am if I don’t get to see Klay every single day do what he does,” Curry said after the Warriors-Cavaliers game.

Curry and Thompson push one another to be great. They watch each other shoot in practice and warmups to get extra inspiration. Even though Curry has put up spectacular numbers while Thompson has been out, he didn’t feel the same joy since his partner in crime wasn’t on the court with him.

That emptiness feeling is in the past now. Curry no longer has to hang Thompson’s jersey in the locker room as a tribute since the five-time All-Star is finally playing again after a challenging two years.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson combined for 45 points vs. Cavaliers

The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers by a final score of 96-82 in Thompson’s return to action. Klay and Steph combined for 45 points and seven 3-pointers, reminding the NBA how lethal they are together.

Thompson scored 17 points in 19 minutes while shooting 7-of-18 from the field and 3-of-8 from beyond the arc in his first outing since Game 6 of the 2019 Finals. He threw down a vicious dunk in traffic in the second quarter, and Curry and the entire Warriors’ bench went nuts.

“It’s funny because I didn’t dunk the whole two months of scrimmaging,” Thompson said after the game. “But when those lights are the brightest, I just felt bouncy. And it felt so good to throw that down. I didn’t expect that. I’m very pleased in my efforts tonight.”

Curry finished with a game-high 28 points to lead the Warriors to their 30th win of the season. After missing the playoffs in 2020 and 2021, the Dubs are well on their way to making the postseason this year and could go on a deep run with Thompson next to Curry.

Warriors could win fourth title in Steph-Klay era

The Warriors are one of five teams in the NBA to rank top-10 in offensive and defensive rating. They have the 10th-best offensive rating and are first in defensive rating. Once Thompson gets his legs underneath him and knocks off all the rust, the Warriors will likely climb in offensive rating since he’s one of the best shooters in NBA history.

The Warriors made it to the NBA Finals the last time Curry and Thompson played in the playoffs together. They lost to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Finals in six games. Kevin Durant tore his Achilles in Game 5, and Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6. If those two players didn’t get hurt, the Warriors might have won the 2019 title.

Curry and Thompson are presumably motivated to win their fourth ring together since the last two years have been filled with adversity. It was great to see Curry honor Thompson by hanging his jersey at MSG, but those heartfelt gestures should be in the past now that Killa Klay and Chef Curry are back in the lab together.