Klay Thompson’s first basket for the Miami Heat, a corner three-pointer, mirrors Ray Allen’s iconic shot from the 2013 NBA Finals.
For a fleeting moment Thursday, the ghost of the 2013 NBA Finals seemed to haunt the court. Klay Thompson, donning a Miami Heat jersey for the first time, stepped into the corner and buried a catch-and-shoot three-pointer that looked hauntingly familiar to anyone who remembers Ray Allen.
It was the exact spot on the floor where Allen delivered one of the most iconic shots in league history—a go-ahead triple in Game 6 that forced the series back to a seventh game. ultimately securing the Larry O’Brien Trophy for Miami. That series concluded with a 4-3 triumph after Chris Bosh provided the defensive stop that sealed the championship against the San Antonio Spurs.
Thompson is currently finding his rhythm during the NBA Preseason. navigating the massive expectations that have settled over Miami this year. The stakes are clear: the front office has aggressively reshaped the roster, prioritizing veteran experience over continuity. The cost was significant, as the team parted ways with fan favorites Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. to clear the path for a new era.
The strategic shift centers on building a dominant duo between Thompson and Giannis Antetokounmpo. the former Milwaukee Bucks champion who arrived as the crown jewel of the team’s offseason overhaul. Combined. the two stars possess five NBA titles. including the foundation of a Warriors dynasty that Thompson helped build alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green. To facilitate the move, Milwaukee also secured the 13th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Coach Erik Spoelstra is now tasked with blending these high-profile pieces into a championship-caliber rotation. While the preseason offers only a glimpse of what is to come. Thompson’s ability to space the floor—and his instinctive nod to the franchise’s glory days—provided a tangible starting point. Miami fans are now waiting to see if that early precision will hold when the pressure of the regular season arrives.
Klay Thompson Miami Heat NBA Ray Allen Giannis Antetokounmpo Erik Spoelstra NBA Preseason