After Thursday’s game, Thompson affirmed a reporter’s observation that he seems far happier than during his two‑year stint in Dallas, according to Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle.
“Absolutely,” Thompson answered. “Living in a place I love, close to family in the Bahamas, feels right. This organization has put me in a great spot, and I’m genuinely happy. Mentally, I’m in a much better place.”
While Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr stay in Golden State, Thompson chose to dissolve the dynasty core by signing with the Mavericks in 2024. He joined a club fresh from the NBA Finals, hoping to build on that run alongside Luka Doncic. Injuries sidelined Doncic early, and he was dealt to the Lakers in February. Thompson’s two years in Dallas saw the team slip out of contention, alienate fans, and end with a buyout before he landed in Miami this summer. For my money, abandoning the Warriors’ core was a misstep.
“It’s always great to see him having fun,” Curry remarked. “But we obviously wanted to shut him down tonight. It still feels surreal facing him, especially after all the battles we’ve shared.”
Here’s more on the Heat:
- After sitting out the final 5:04 and the overtime period on Wednesday, Andrew Wiggins returned to the starting lineup on Thursday, only to be outmatched again by reserve wing Pelle Larsson, reports Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Wiggins is posting a career‑low 8.6 points per game, and Chiang notes Larsson has been far more productive in his minutes alongside the other four starters.
- Veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr., one of Miami’s offseason acquisitions, appears to have been supplanted in the rotation by rookie Ryan Conwell, Chiang adds. Hardaway logged just seven and four minutes in the last two contests, while Conwell emerged early off the bench Thursday, delivering 13 points and two assists in 29 minutes. “I feel for Tim right now because it’s not really about him,” coach Erik Spoelstra explained. “It’s not about any single player in the second unit. We’re facing teams with multiple ball‑handlers and primary attackers. That lineup worked yesterday with (Davion Mitchell) and Ryan together, but it didn’t move the needle tonight, so that’s just how it goes sometimes.”
- On The Bill Simmons Podcast (Twitter video link), Doc Rivers discussed the challenges of coaching Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo. “He’s not easy. He plays at a crazy downhill pace,” Rivers said, recalling two‑and‑a‑half seasons with Giannis in Milwaukee. “He’s a difficult player. He has great passing, but his basketball IQ isn’t elite. He tends to force every play his way. I wish he’d learn to execute better.” Will Giannis ever adapt his style to fit the Heat’s system?
