6 Best Finals Performances in Warriors History
By Will Fowler
Yes, the Golden State Warriors are back in the NBA Finals for the *checks notes* 6,000th consecutive year. As the franchise begins its quest for a seventh championship Thursday night against the Toronto Raptors, let's take a look back at some of the true standout performances in Warriors Finals history.
6. Joe Fulks: 1947 Game 5
Believe it or not, the Warriors DID make the Finals before 2015, and even before their championship in 1975. In fact, they won the inaugural Finals against the Chicago Stags in 1947, way back before the league was even called the National Basketball Association (remember the Basketball Association of America?). Their star was future Hall of Famer Joe Fulks, who poured in 34 points in Game 5 and clinched the series for the Philadelphia Warriors.
5. Steph Curry: 2015 Game 5
Steph Curry was a live wire in Game 5 of the 2015 Finals, dropping 37 points and 7 rebounds en route to a 104-91 win and a 3-2 series lead over the Cavaliers. The Dubs would go on to win Game 6 against the Cavs, giving them their first championship in 40 years.
4. Rick Barry: 1975 Games 2 and 3
This may be cheating, but it's impossible to pick just one game from Rick Barry's rampant run through the 1975 Finals. His contributions in Games 2 and 3 of the series against the Washington Bullets were second to none. He combined for 74 points in the two contests and set up the Warriors to cruise to a series sweep, and earned Finals MVP honors for his efforts.
3. Kevin Durant: 2018 Game 3
Kevin Durant earned himself an iconic Finals moment with the Warriors last season when he lit up the Cavaliers to the tune of 43 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists in Game 3. His 43 points were the most scored in a single game during the series by anyone not named LeBron James, and the Warriors finished off the sweep two days later in Cleveland to make it back-to-back chips.
2. Kevin Durant: 2017 Game 5
With a 3-1 series lead and playing on his home floor, Durant went off for 39 points in a game that would ultimately win him his first ring. He shot an amazing 70 percent from the field, including 5-of-8 from deep, as the Warriors cruised to a 129-120 victory.
1. Steph Curry: 2017 Game 2
Despite never having won a Finals MVP, Curry has put on perhaps the most impressive show in Warriors Finals history. In Game 2 of the 2017 series against Cleveland, Curry recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, the first triple-double in Warriors Finals history, on the way to a 19-point victory over the defending champs.