Klay Thompson delivered one of the most jaw-dropping highlights of the season Friday night, sending Kevin Durant into the metaphorical “shadow realm” with a vicious stepback move that left fans and commentators buzzing. The play, which came late in the second quarter of the Dallas Mavericks’ 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns, showcased a side of Thompson’s game that fans rarely see: elite ball-handling and ankle-breaking moves.
Klay Thompson really broke Kevin Durant's ankles on the stepback 😱pic.twitter.com/sgagTTXkuE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 28, 2024
After blocking Ryan Dunn’s transition layup attempt, Thompson brought the ball up the court and found himself matched against his former Golden State Warriors teammate. With a smooth dribble and a lightning-quick stepback, Thompson created nearly ten feet of separation, leaving Durant stumbling as Klay calmly drained a mid-range jumper.
Thompson and Durant share a storied history, having won two NBA championships together with the Warriors. Their familiarity added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Kyrie Irving led the charge offensively, scoring 20 points along with 5 assists, but his efficiency was lacking as he shot just 6-of-21 from the field, including 5-of-10 from three. Thompson had a relatively quiet game overall, finishing with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting 4-of-9 from the field and 1-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Durant, despite being the victim of the play, had an outstanding game for the Suns. The former MVP scored 35 points on an efficient 11-of-19 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three-point range, while also contributing 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. However, Durant’s efforts weren’t enough to lift a Suns team missing key players like Devin Booker and Grayson Allen. Bradley Beal struggled mightily, finishing with just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting, along with 4 turnovers.
Dallas entered the game shorthanded without Luka Doncic but displayed depth and resilience. Alongside Irving’s scoring, Spencer Dinwiddie added 15 points and 3 assists, while Daniel Gafford chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Maxi Kleber was instrumental as well, scoring 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbing 7 rebounds.
For the Mavericks, the win was a testament to their depth and resilience. Thompson, now in his first season with Dallas after signing a three-year, $50 million deal, has taken on a new role alongside Irving and Doncic. Although his scoring has been inconsistent—he averages 14.3 points per game on 42.2% shooting—his leadership and ability to rise to the occasion have been invaluable.
The game also highlighted the Mavericks’ defensive tenacity. Dallas held the Suns to just 39 first-half points and limited Phoenix’s secondary scorers, with Royce O’Neale being the only other Sun in double figures besides Durant. Despite a late push by the Suns in the fourth quarter, Dallas maintained control, with Spencer Dinwiddie, Maxi Kleber, and Daniel Gafford all contributing crucial points.
The win improves the Mavericks’ record to 20-11, solidifying their position as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. For the Suns, the loss underscores their ongoing struggles without Booker, as they fall to .500 on the season at 15-15.
While the game itself was filled with drama and physicality—including the ejections of Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Jusuf Nurkic after a third-quarter altercation—Klay Thompson’s highlight will be the lasting memory. It was a reminder that even at 34 years old, the sharpshooter still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. As Durant himself said postgame, “That’s the last time he’ll do something like that.”
Given the buzz around the play, it’s unlikely anyone will forget it anytime soon.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
