Four-time MVP LeBron James going up against this year’s MVP Stephen Curry.
That’s what everyone has been waiting to see for the past week or so, and the two superstars did not disappoint as Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday more than lived up to the hype.
James looked invincible at times, scoring 44 points on 18-of-38 shooting from the field to go with eight rebounds and six assists. Curry went on an impressive run of his own in the second quarter to help erase what was a 14-point lead for the Cavaliers in the early going before finishing the contest with 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field to go with four rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
That wasn’t all, though, as plenty of other players made huge contributions for their respective teams: Andre Iguodala played splendidly on both ends of the floor, Marreese Speights provided a spark off the bench, Timofey Mozgov was a huge factor offensively and Tristan Thompson had his way on the boards with 15 rebounds.
At the end of the day, the Warriors had just a bit more defense and depth to edge the Cavaliers in overtime 108-100 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The bigger issue for the Cavaliers is the status of Kyrie Irving, who appeared to tweak his knee late in overtime and was unable to return. Irving was fantastic on both ends of the floor with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks. With the injury, however, his status heading into Game 2 on Sunday is an uncertainty.
NBA players around the league saw it all unfold and had plenty to say about Irving’s injury, the play of LeBron James, the greatness of the Warriors and more:
Man they gonna need Kyrie. Hopefully he gonna be straight
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) June 5, 2015
You don’t win in over time shooting 1-10 in with 2 turnovers despite 44 pts. That’s why it’s a series.
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) June 5, 2015
That was a great first game.
— ReggieEvans30 (@ReggieEvans30) June 5, 2015
Cavs offense trash in overtime
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) June 5, 2015
Yea this over in 4.
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 5, 2015
This is over in 4. If Kyrie can’t play
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 5, 2015
No Kyrie no championship!
— Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) June 5, 2015
Down goes Irving… This is over…
— Tracy Murray (@RealTracyMurray) June 5, 2015
That might be the play of the game #DEFENSE He didn’t give up on the play
— Earl Barron (@earldee) June 5, 2015
Huuuuuge play kyrie
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) June 5, 2015
hell of a play Ky
— Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) June 5, 2015
This has been a Great One!!!! Live Up To The Hype!!!!
— Lang Galloway (@LangGalloway10) June 5, 2015
GSW gotta GANG REBOUND!!! Don’t leave it to someone else! That ball belongs to whoever wants Larry O’brien!
— Bruce Bowen (@Bowen12) June 5, 2015
Man I don’t care what anyone says. Lebron going down as one of the best ever.
— Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) June 5, 2015
Sooooo Steph not gon guard Kyrie. I wanted to see that matchup
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 5, 2015
This is going to be a awesome NBA Finals..
— mehmetokur13 (@MehmetOkur13) June 5, 2015
Great Game!!!
— Ryan Gomes (@GotGomes) June 5, 2015
Steph cookin
— Anthony Tolliver (@ATolliver44) June 5, 2015
Curry is like the video game double dribble from the corner
— Chris Webber (@realchriswebber) June 5, 2015
Chef Curry with that sling shot….
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) June 5, 2015
Quickest jumpshot in history
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay8) June 5, 2015
Curry right on time!
— Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) June 5, 2015
Here he go @Mospeights16
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) June 5, 2015
Defense wins championships. And the cavs locked it!!
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) June 5, 2015
I like the Cavs in 7. They have the best player in the world in LeBron, Kyrie is back, role guys are solid, and they play dang good defense.
— Meyers Leonard (@MeyersLeonard11) June 5, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.