Golden State Warriors celebrate their triumph for reaching their first NBA final since 2019 following their victory over Dallas Mavericks.
Golden State Warriors celebrate following their win over Dallas Mavericks as they return to the NBA final for the first time since 2019.
The Warriors defeated Dallas Mavericks 120-110 as the team celebrate their triumph.
“Tonight was different because we’ve done it before,” Kerr said. “But in a different way, it was incredibly meaningful given everything that we’ve been through organizationally over the last couple of years.
“I’m happy for everybody … [but] it’s hard not to be most excited for Klay,” Kerr said. “The fight that he’s been through to get back to this point. Just an incredible accomplishment for him. For him to be a part of it, he’s so happy again. It’s wonderful to see.”
Golden State had the worst record in the NBA. This time last year, Klay Thompson was just starting to run again after consecutive ACL and Achilles tears and repairs. But following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, which ended after two play-in game losses, Stephen Curry issued a warning: “You don’t want to see us next year.”
“It was more just a message for us,” Curry said. “It wasn’t for anybody else. It was a message for us to stay locked on the opportunity that was coming our way because we had built such a good momentum finishing the years, reestablishing what Warriors basketball was.”
Thompson played his best game of the series, finishing with a game-high 32 points on 12-of-25 shooting, including 8 3-pointers. Thompson became the first player in NBA history to hit 8 3s in multiple series-clinching games in his career (he hit 8 in Game 6 against the Memphis Grizzlies).
“I dreamt about this day,” Thompson said. “Just my appreciation for moving my body again, I thought about that. I thought about those days I couldn’t run or jump, how lucky we are to do what we do. Just to be here again wearing this [Western Conference Champion] shirt, wear this [NBA Finals] hat, I mean, I dreamt of this.”
