Kerr admits it felt “strange” seeing Klay in a Heat jersey

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged Wednesday that facing former stars Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins in Miami Heat uniforms still feels “strange,” even though the two players have been with other teams for multiple seasons.

“Those first couple times are really bizarre, and then you get used to it,” Kerr said, according to The Heat Central.

“And it’s a reminder that most of us in the NBA end up with multiple teams.”

“It’s so rare to play with one team,” he added.

Thompson spent 13 seasons with the Warriors, winning four NBA championships and establishing himself as one of the greatest shooters in league history.

Wiggins joined Golden State in 2020 and played a key role in the 2022 title run before being traded to Miami as part of the Jimmy Butler deal in 2024.

Thompson left the Warriors after the 2023-24 season and spent two years with the Dallas Mavericks before signing with the Heat this past offseason.

Now both players will face their former team at Chase Center on Thursday night.

“You end up competing against friends and sometimes even family,” Kerr said.

“But it’ll be great to see both guys.”

Kerr described Thompson and Wiggins as “two just incredible contributors to the Warriors’ championships.”

He called both men “wonderful human beings and great teammates.”

The Warriors are coming off a 116-113 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

Miami enters Thursday’s game after a 117-116 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

Thompson hit the game-winning three-pointer in that win, giving his new team their third victory of the season.

After the game, Thompson told ClutchPoints’ Tomer Azarly that he plans to “soak” up the experience of returning to face his former team.

“The Warriors are playing real well,” Thompson said Wednesday.

“It’s going to be a good challenge.”

“It’s going to be awesome seeing all the guys I grew up with and just going to be a special night.”

“I only get to go there once this season, so I’m going to soak it all up,” he added.

Kerr’s comments came during a routine media availability that also touched on other topics.

When asked about the 2026 midterm elections, Kerr made a joke about a $5,000 check that President Donald Trump had promised Americans if Republicans kept control of Congress.

“What no questions on the election? I’m surprised,” Kerr said.

“I’m disappointed, because I was looking forward to that $5,000 check that we were all gonna get,” he added, per the California Post’s Evan Webeck.

He said he had already spent the money and would now “have to figure something out.”

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterms, meaning the condition attached to Trump’s pledge was not met.

Kerr has been a vocal critic of Trump for years, speaking on issues from gun safety to elections.

In 2024, he endorsed Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention, acknowledging that speaking out about politics “comes with risks.”

But the main story ahead of Thursday’s game remains the reunion with Thompson and Wiggins.

Kerr has coached against former players before, but the emotional weight of facing Thompson — a foundational piece of the Warriors’ dynasty — is different.

Thompson was drafted by Golden State in 2011 and formed one of the most prolific backcourts in NBA history alongside Stephen Curry.

He missed two full seasons due to a torn ACL and a torn Achilles, then returned to help the Warriors win another championship in 2022.