Sunday was a day worth circling on the calendar for every Golden State Warriors fan. After five road games bookending the All-Star break, Jimmy Butler III was set to make his home debut for the Dubs, two-and-a-half weeks after the Warriors traded for him. They were facing the team directly ahead of them in the standings, the Dallas Mavericks, with Klay Thompson returning to the Chase Center. And a franchise legend, Andre Iguodala, was having his jersey retired.
The stage was set, but the team still needed to deliver for 48 minutes to ensure that it was a great day, and not just a memorable, bittersweet day.