Curry: I hope Klay 'feels the love' in return to Bay Area

Tuesday will be an emotional night for the Golden State Warriors as Klay Thompson returns to the Bay Area for the first time since leaving the team this summer.

Stephen Curry told reporters Sunday that Thompson's homecoming will be unlike any other the Warriors have experienced before and that he hopes his former teammate enjoys the celebration.

"We've had homecomings before, but nothing like this with the level of impact and the brand of Klay in the Bay Area," Curry said following the Warriors' 127-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. "It is something that I don't know if any way I explain it will do it justice. We obviously have a game to play, so you want to make sure you're locked in mentally on that, but he deserves the celebration and the welcome that he's gonna get.

"And then, like I talked about before, it would be a great opportunity to reflect on all the memories that we had. I don't want to be too crazy, it's not a memorial. We're still talking about basketball and life, but you want to enjoy the moment of getting the celebration that he deserves. And however it plays out, I just hope he feels the love because he deserves it."

Thompson, who spent 11 years as a member of the Warriors, was acquired by the Dallas Mavericks in July as part of a six-team sign and trade deal.

Tuesday's game will be the first of three matchups between the Warriors and Mavs this season. They'll face each other again on Feb. 12 and Feb. 23.