Sports
Klay Thompson returned to the Bay, but Stephen Curry had the last splash
SAN FRANCISCO — It was rather early for his “Night, Night” celebration, the move Steph Curry does to declare a victory secured.
“I almost pulled a Si Woo Kim,” Curry said of the golfer who in September did the Golden State Warriors star’s signature after a clutch chip-in on hole No. 16 before eventually losing the Presidents Cup on hole No. 18.
“But thankfully, we were able to finish it. … Yeah, a little premature.”
Up four with 26.4 seconds remaining, after hitting Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II with a couple of crossovers before drilling a 3-pointer from the top, Curry’s international trademark appeared organically. Emotion made it hard to prioritize score and clock. The adrenaline and testosterone, the euphoria of supremacy, rendered win probability secondary.
A moment had been orchestrated. A message had been enunciated. It had to be punctuated.
So Curry roared at the raucous Chase Center crowd, thunderous enough this night to evoke memories of Oracle Arena. He tugged at the Golden State across his jersey and pounded his chest with a fist. Then he turned to the cameras, and into the eyes of millions, and let his competitive arrogance speak to anyone else who’d dare leave his side for greener pastures.
“You better stay here!” Curry yelled, emphasizing location with a double point to the hardwood on which he stood. “You better stay here!”
💥 STEPHEN CURRY 💥
NIGHT NIGHT 😴 pic.twitter.com/SZtkcgORWi
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 13, 2024
Tuesday night’s NBA Cup opener was all about Klay Thompson and the affinity he’s garnered from Warriors world.
Hundreds of Golden State employees lined his walkway into the arena. Thousands of fans donned a white sailor’s cap in his honor. After a one-minute tribute video, Thompson basked in a minute-long ovation featuring enough sentiment to crumble his facade of indifference.
As he’d done so many times before, Thompson sent a wave of chills through the arena. A Bay Area legend was back. A beloved cohort of a dynasty was home.
This night began as a ballad to Captain Klay. It ended with a reminder it was Curry’s ship.
“Yeah,” Thompson said after the game, “it hurts to be on the other side of one of his flurries. The guy got hot at the end and made some ridiculous shots. Being on the other end, it sucks.”
On the floor with at least five future Hall of Famers, Curry was the best player when it mattered most. Four months before he turns 37.
Down 114-108 with just over three minutes remaining, Curry ran off 10 straight points. Neither Luka Dončić nor Kyrie Irving nor Klay Thompson could answer Curry. He scored 12 points in the final 3:10.
He finished with a game-high 37 points — to go with his 9 assists and 6 rebounds — as the Warriors improved to 9-2 with a 120-117 win. Two nights after closing out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City, and Jayson Tatum in Boston before that, Curry again declared his eliteness.
Undoubtedly, he wanted his Splash Brother to hear him loudest. A mindset that honors their relationship, considering they are bonded by their competitive spirits as much as their shooting prowess.
Curry was determined not to give Thompson the satisfaction of victory. The overflow of admiration was enough. Curry stayed in the tunnel during the playing of the tribute video, dodging the emotion he was sure to feel. Likewise, Draymond Green got the video delivered to him early so he could watch it and get the feels out of the way. Curry didn’t even talk to Thompson until a pregame hug right before tipoff.
On the first play of the game, Thompson took Curry into the post, endeavoring to use his height advantage over the point guard. He drew a foul on Curry, who was aggressive and physical because, as Green said, he wanted to take the ball from Klay.
“I blacked out on that one,” Curry said. “I wasn’t going to let him score and I fouled him.”
He got the steal the next time Thompson posted him, stripping him under the basket. A third time, Curry forced Thompson into a bad shot.
This is gonna take some getting used to 😳 pic.twitter.com/95RPyz4HAJ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 13, 2024
When Curry dropped in a floater in the second quarter, drawing the foul on Thompson in the process, he shot a taunting stare at his former backcourt mate.
“I knew he’d come in ready to go,” Green said. “But when you see him express that type of emotion, everybody else just falls in line. I try to lead in that category. When he’s up, I move to the side, let him do his thing and be his support. He was absolutely incredible tonight, and I knew he’d be locked in from the get-go.”
Coincidentally, in denying Klay, Curry underscored that he doesn’t have (a) Klay.
Golden State outscored Dallas by 24 points in Curry’s 35 minutes. In the 13 minutes he sat, the Mavericks outscored the hosts by 21 points.
The Warriors find themselves on this promising start because of their depth. But the league’s highest-scoring bench — which still outscored Dallas’ bench, 42-22 — struggled to score when Curry sat. And with Green and Andrew Wiggins mostly resting with him, the Warriors’ bench was overwhelmed by the dynamism of Dončić and Irving. And Klay.
Jonathan Kuminga, who finished with 16 points, is the best bench option to be an offensive anchor, but his opportunities are limited by minutes and sometimes lineups. Buddy Hield, who is featured offensively, was effective inside the arc but is not as potent when he’s not raining 3s. The Replacement Splash Brother has been revelatory this season but was 2-for-8 in the matchup against his predecessor, and the Warriors’ offense suffered.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks could stagger their stars and keep a threat on the court. And Thompson gives them a potent third option when he’s on. And Tuesday he was on, to the tune of 6-for-12 from 3 and 22 points. He came into the game having made 2 of 13 the previous two games.
He scored eight points in the fourth quarter, including two open 3s in front of the Warriors’ bench. The first was over a closeout from Curry, who sagged off Thompson too far. The second put the Mavericks ahead 110-105 with 5:17 remaining. And it unleashed the verbal and physical banter on his former shipmates.
𝑺𝑷𝑳𝑨𝑺𝑯 💦 pic.twitter.com/JG6NB3p1IJ
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 13, 2024
“He did a little terrible shimmy,” Green said. “It was awful.”
“He knows better than that,” Curry said.
Certainly, Curry knew he’d hear it from his fellow dynasty engineer if Thompson came home and got the dub against the Dubs. Watching Thompson stunt on them was even more motivation. The reigning Western Conference champions would now have to deal with Commodore Curry.
Ahead a point, just over 30 seconds remaining, Curry jogged up court as the tension crescendoed. He burned away precious seconds with a string of between-the-leg dribbles, waiting for the perfect time to attack. One screen got Dončić switched onto Curry. Then a second screen put Lively in his sights. Curry found his prey.
He pounded two dribbles while hopping right, setting up a sudden crossover left, getting Lively’s momentum going in that direction. Then Curry yanked a crossover back to his right, lining himself up for a dead-on 3-pointer from the top.
This splash was for Klay.
“That’s my guy, my friend, my road dog for 13 years,” Curry said. “There’s a lot of history, so you’re going to have a lot of back and forth. Some of it was competitive, some of it was fun. … It was an unreal night, for sure, all the way around.”
Almost immediately after his postgame interview, Thompson was back in his old confines. Fully dressed, wearing his captain’s hat, he hung out in the weight room and practice court he once roamed. Spending time with players and coaches and trainers on his former team. The rivalry had morphed back into brotherhood.
GO DEEPER
Amick: Thompson wanted low-key Warriors homecoming, but warm embrace could help heal wounds
(Photo of Stephen Curry celebrating his game-icing 3-pointer Tuesday night: Noah Graham / NBAE via Getty Images)
Sports
Ex-NFL reporter Dianna Russini interaction with police officer to dodge traffic ticket comes to light
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Police bodycam footage appeared to refute a claim made by former NFL reporter Dianna Russini earlier this year about what she did to get out of a traffic ticket.
Russini, whose relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel led to her resigning from her role with The Athletic in April, said on the “Stugotz and Company” show back in February that she FaceTimed the NFL coach, though she didn’t drop the name, of the officer’s favorite team after being pulled over for being on her phone.
It was a story that came up again during the New York Times’ deep dive into the Russini-Vrabel controversy, and now police bodycam footage has confirmed that wasn’t the case. However, she did name-drop a coach.
ESPN reporter Dianna Russini looks on during the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2018. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)
The footage went just over seven minutes long, as Russini was stopped in Ridgewood, New Jersey, for using her phone while driving. Not only did a FaceTime never happen, but no call at all occurred during the exchange between Russini and the officer.
What did occur, though, was Russini showing the officer texts she had been having with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, and she showed the officer her phone with the texts on it.
DIANNA RUSSINI PULLED PATHETIC MOVE WITH AN OFFICER TO GET OUT OF A TICKET, AND IT SHOULD HAVE THE NFL NERVOUS
“I’m an NFL reporter, and I just broke that Seam McDermott got fired from the Bills,” Russini told the officer almost immediately, understanding why she was being pulled over. “I was gonna pull over because I have to make calls. I know you don’t care, but I’m just letting you know my reason why. It was a work thing and it was an emergency for what I do.”
McDermott was fired the morning of Jan. 19, which was the date shown on the bodycam footage, after the Bills’ AFC Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos.
The officer replied that Russini had been on her phone “for a while” before pulling her over, though he did acknowledge she had a job to do.
Russini continued, telling the officer that former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll “wants the job” with the Bills. He was connected to the team given his history with Buffalo prior to joining the Giants, but they hired in-house with Joe Brady being promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach. Daboll ended up joining Robert Saleh’s staff as offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans.
Dianna Russini, left, and Mike Vrabel, right, are shown in a split composite image featuring Russini with an ESPN microphone and Vrabel on the Titans sideline wearing a headset. (Imagn Images)
Russini, then, asked if the officer was a Giants or Jets fan given the New Jersey ties. When he responded by saying he was a Vikings fan, it prompted Russini to seemingly show texts with O’Connell. The conversation, which included Russini saying the Vikings’ quarterback “sucks” and “KOC’s awesome” ultimately led to the officer letting her off with a warning.
“I’m gonna cut you a break on the cellphone,” the officer was heard saying. “I understand your job requires you to be on the phone a lot. Just try to wait until you get home, OK?”
PATRIOTS SAY THEY ‘FULLY SUPPORT’ MIKE VRABEL AMID LATEST IN CONTROVERSY INVOLVING DIANNA RUSSINI
The Center Square first reported Russini’s interaction with the officer.
Fox News Digital reached out to Russini and the Vikings for comment.
Ridgewood Police Chief Forest Lyons issued a statement on the matter.
“On January 19, 2026, at 9:40 a.m., a Ridgewood police officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Godwin Avenue involving Ms. Dianna Russini for the use of a handheld cell phone while driving,” the statement read. “After following department protocol during the stop, and reviewing Ms. Russini’s driving history, the officer exercised his professional discretion and issued a verbal warning to Ms. Russini.
Dianna Russini attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Pier 48 in San Francisco, California, on Feb. 7, 2026. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
“The use of officer discretion in determining whether to issue a warning or a citation is consistent with Ridgewood Police Department policy and longstanding practice. Police officers are encouraged to use their judgment and, when appropriate, provide motorists with warnings as part of the Department’s commitment to fair, impartial and community-oriented policing.”
Russini resigned from her post at The Athletic amid mounting criticism over her relationship with Vrabel after photographs of them hugging and holding hands at a private resort in Sedona, Arizona, went viral. After initially trying to downplay it, saying “reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues,” Russini ultimately released her resignation.
After the original photos, others dating back to 2020 showed Vrabel and Russini kissing at a bar in New York City. The pictures exclusively obtained by the New York Post were taken in the early hours of March 11, 2020.
“They were kissing, and they were all over each other,” an eyewitness told the outlet. “He had a ring on.”
Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 10, 2022. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
While Russini resigned, Vrabel was back with the Patriots after a counseling visit, which fell on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Vrabel said he had difficult conversations with his family, while also speaking with his players about the situation. The Patriots said before the draft they “fully support” Vrabel, allowing him to seek the counseling he desired despite four rounds of the draft still remaining.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Group play is over and it’s knockout time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The round of 32 is in progress, with several teams already moving on the round of 16, including tournament co-hosts Canada and Mexico. The U.S. will be looking to do the same when it faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Here’s everything you need to know about World Cup knockout stage matches being played Wednesday, Thursday and Friday across the U.S., Mexico and Canada (all times Pacific).
Wednesday’s round of 32 matches
England vs. DR Congo
England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates with teammates after scoring against Panama on June 27.
(Steve Luciano / Associated Press)
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Time: 9 a.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo
The buzz: England was unbeaten in group play, but it looked sluggish, failing to score in a goalless draw with Ghana then needing two second-half scores to beat Panama. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have combined for five of England’s six goals while Jordan Pickford hasn’t given up a goal since the opening half of the first game. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, made it out of the group stage for the first time ever by beating Uzbekistan with three second-half goals.
Belgium vs. Senegal
Belgium’s Leandro Trossard celebrates after scoring against New Zealand on June 26.
(Abbie Parr / Ap Photo/abbie Parr)
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: FS1, Telemundo
The buzz: Unbeaten Belgium didn’t score a goal of its own until routing New Zealand 5-1 in its group-play finale. That allowed it to finish atop of its group and advance to the knockout stages, something it failed to do four years ago. Senegal started with consecutive losses, but routed Iraq 5-0, giving it the best goal differential of all third-place teams and allowing it to advance.
U.S. vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
U.S. forward Christian Pulisic shoots during a loss to Turkey at the World Cup on June 25.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Time: 5 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo
The buzz: The U.S. won its group, winning twice in the first round for the first time since 1930. But it has won just once beyond the group stage in its history and hasn’t beaten a European team in 12 tries dating to November 2022. Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Qatar in its group-stage finale to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time. Ermin Mahmic has two of the team’s five goals.
Thursday’s round of 32 matches
Spain vs. Austria
Austria’s Marko Arnautovic celebrates after a goal against Algeria on June 27 at the World Cup.
(Reed Hoffmann / Associated Press)
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Time: Noon
TV: Fox, Telemundo
The buzz: Spain did not allow a goal in the group stage with keeper Unai Simón making just four saves in the three shutouts. But No. 3 Spain has struggled offensively; leave out its 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia and it scored just once. Austria needed a goal deep in stoppage time to draw Algeria and finish second in its group, advancing to the second round for the first time since 1982. Marko Arnautovic has two of the team’s six goals.
Portugal vs. Croatia
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo attempts an overhead kick against Colombia at the World Cup on June 27.
(Robert Cianflone / Getty Images)
Where: BMO Field, Toronto
Time: 4 p.m.
TV: FS1, Telemundo
The buzz: Call this the Geritol Cup. Unbeaten Portugal finished second in its group with Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, becoming the second-oldest male to score in a World Cup and the only man to score in six consecutive tournaments while Croatia saw Luka Modric become the oldest player in history to record a World Cup assist. Croatia has reached the semifinals of the last two tournaments, but its golden generation is aging. Portugal, a quarterfinalist in 2022, is hoping to give Ronaldo the one title he’s missing.
Switzerland vs. Algeria
Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi heads the ball against Canada at the World Cup on June 24.
(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)
Where: BC Place, Vancouver
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: FS1, Telemundo
The buzz: Unbeaten Switzerland held off Canada in its last game to win its group for the first time since 2006. The Swiss have not won a knockout-round game since 1954. Midfielder Johan Manzambi, the team’s youngest player at 20, has three of Switzerland’s seven goals. Algeria drew Austria in its group-play final to advance as a third-place team. Riyad Mahrez, 35, had a brace in that game and leads Algeria with two goals.
Friday’s round of 32 matches
Australia vs. Egypt
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring against New Zealand at the World Cup on June 21.
(Alex Grimm / Getty Images)
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Time: 11 a.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo
The buzz: Australia finished second to the U.S. in its group but stumbled into the round of 32, going 195 minutes without a goal. It’s the first time since 1974 Australia has gone scoreless in consecutive World Cup games. The Socceroos are playing in the knockout stage for the third time in 20 years but have yet to win an elimination game. Unbeaten Egypt also finished second in its group, on a goal-differential tiebreaker. Its five goals have come from five different players. The Pharaohs, Africa’s oldest national team, will be playing in the second round of the World Cup for the first time.
Argentina vs. Cape Verde
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, left, and Jordan’s Noussair Mazraoui battle for the ball at the World Cup on June 27.
(Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Time: 3 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo
The buzz: The last World Cup loss for Argentina came in its 2022 opener, making its nine-game unbeaten run the longest under one coach since 1986, the year it won its second championship. Speaking of streaks, when Lionel Messi came off the bench to score in the group finale, it gave him goals in a record seven consecutive World Cup games. He is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, having scored six of Argentina’s eight goals. Unbeaten Cape Verde is playing in the World Cup for the first time, advancing to the knockout stages behind three straight draws, two of them clean sheets by Vozinha, the team’s 40-year-old keeper. It is the first debutant to go unbeaten in the group stage since Senegal in 2002. The smallest country ever to advance out of World Cup group play, Cape Verde had just seven shots on target in the group stage, according to FIFA.
Colombia vs. Ghana
Colombia’s Gustavo Puerta reacts during a match against Portugal at the World Cup on June 27.
(Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press)
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo
The buzz: Unbeaten Colombia won its group but scored just once in its final two games. It’s 59 shots are tied for third in the tournament but just four of those found the back of the net. Goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, on the other hand, has been called on to make just five saves. Ghana is back in the knockout stages for the first time since 2010, advancing as a third-place team.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Winning two knockout stage games? That means you’re really in the running to win the World Cup.
Let’s check out the updated odds for which countries will make it to the quarterfinals at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 1.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
To Reach Quarterfinals
France: -1250 (bet $10 to win $10.80 total)
Argentina: -425 (bet $10 to win $12.35 total)
Morocco: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Brazil: -240 (bet $10 to win $14.17 total)
England: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
Spain: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.14 total)
Colombia: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
USA: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Mexico: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Norway: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Portugal: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Canada: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Belgium: +185 (bet $10 to win $28.50 total)
Switzerland: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Senegal: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)
Algeria: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Egypt: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Ghana: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
The USA is currently one of the favorites to reach the World Cup quarterfinals (Getty Images).
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard.
Recent History: The quarterfinals are kinda a given for France, at least in recent years. The French have made it to at least the quarterfinals in five of the last seven World Cups, and they have made the final in four of the last seven years, winning the tournament twice. Les Bleus are now heavy favorites at -1250 to beat Paraguay and get back to the quarterfinals.
The Host Nations: Before this summer, Canada had never won a World Cup match in two tournament appearances. But that has all changed. Canada is through to the Round of 16 after beating South Africa in the Round of 32. As for Mexico, it has recorded four straight scoreless wins to start the tournament for the first time in its nation’s history. El Tri will look to get back to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years after dominating Ecuador in the Round of 32. After its win over Ecuador, Mexico jumped from +290 to +140 to make the quarters. The U.S. looks to replicate the other two host nations’ knockout stage performances against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
-
Science5 minutes agoThis Cell Feeds, Grows and Reproduces. And It’s Manmade.
-
Lifestyle27 minutes agoGreetings from London, where Banksy’s flag man is a warning cry
-
Education30 minutes ago
This Little Robot Cleans Windows
-
Technology35 minutes agoComcast’s split could make or break Peacock
-
World42 minutes agoState Department congratulates Keiko Fujimori as Peru’s president-elect following razor-thin vote count
-
Politics45 minutes agoMamdani ripped for claiming victory over capitalism after NYC’s multi-billion dollar taxpayer funded bailout
-
Health50 minutes agoAmerican vaccines that transformed public health over 250 years: ‘Outweighs harm’
-
Sports57 minutes agoEx-NFL reporter Dianna Russini interaction with police officer to dodge traffic ticket comes to light
