He was great – Luka Doncic lauds Klay Thompson after win against Spurs

Dallas Mavericks talisman Luka Doncic showered praise on Klay Thompson after a 120-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night. Thompson, who was making his Mavericks debut after spending 13 years with the Golden State Warriors, scored 22 points in 26 minutes.

Thompson was 7-of-13 from the floor and 6-of-10 from 3-point range, setting a record for 3s made in a Mavericks debut.

“He was great, man,” Mavs superstar Luka Doncic said. “Just knocking down a lot of shots and he was moving out there. He played great defense, too.”

“It’s easy to play with a guy like that,” Doncic said. “It makes your life easier. You got to find him.”

On the other hand, Doncic scored 28 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists for the previous season’s runners-up but called himself rusty as was only 9-of-25 from the floor. Thompson showered praise on the Slovenian for playing his own game.

“What an incredible talent,” Thompson said of Doncic. “I mean, it doesn’t make any sense, because what we’re taught growing up as far as being the best basketball player is you got to jump the highest, you got to run the fastest, but somehow Luka defies that. He plays at his own speed and manipulates the game as good as I’ve ever seen anyone do it. And it’s great to be a recipient of that and get great looks.”

Thompson was delighted to make an impressive debut for the Mavericks.

“Great debut,” Thompson said. “It’s only one game in October, but it feels good just to get that first one out of the way. … Just a ton of excitement, really just an awesome feeling. And you only get the first time of something so often.”

The Mavericks will next take on the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.