After a 40-year absence, the Golden State Warriors are finally headed back to the NBA Finals after ending the Houston Rockets season with a 104-90 victory on Wednesday to win the series 4-1.
It was a grueling, physical game throughout and none of the stars played particularly well – Stephen Curry had 26 points but shot seven-of-21 from the field and James Harden had a nightmare game with 14 points on two-of-11 shooting from the field to go with an NBA playoffs record of 13 turnovers. The Rockets stayed within striking distance for much of the contest, but Harrison Barnes shined in the fourth quarter, scoring seven consecutive points at one point to help the Warriors capture a double-digit lead and ended the night with an impressive 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting and seven rebounds.
Needless to say, it has been an incredible run for Golden State, whose team and fan base have suffered for decades of futility. They still have one more series to go, but what they have already achieved is plenty enough to celebrate as is, and players around the league were on board with congratulatory words:
Who going to win the Championship this year.
— ReggieEvans30 (@ReggieEvans30) May 28, 2015
Motivation…. https://t.co/xjbzYKWgbj — That Boy Jrue (@Jrue_Holiday11) May 28, 2015
This is the NBA Finals everybody wanted to see, Cavs vs. Warriors and it’s finally here! I can’t wait!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 28, 2015
Congratulations to Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob and my friend & business partner Peter Guber on their team reaching the NBA Finals — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 28, 2015
Last time @Warriors were in NBA Finals (1975), the @Cavs franchise had just completed their 5th season (0 playoff appearances) @EliasSports
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 28, 2015
Now it’s the LeBrons vs The Currys — ⚜♚⚜ (@QBronald) May 28, 2015
Big Shoutout to coach Mark Jackson, definitely played a key role in building that foundation back up from the ground up. #professionalism
— Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) May 28, 2015
https://t.co/mftikSkMgP — Seth Curry (@sdotcurry) May 28, 2015
Congrats to them dubs! Happy for them boys..
— Jordan Crawford (@jcraw55) May 28, 2015
As a former #Warrior it means alot especially with @StephenCurry30 leading them to their first #NBAFinals since 1975 Get it fellas &congrats — Tyrone Muggsy Bogues (@MuggsyBogues) May 28, 2015
Congrats to my hometown brother @StephenCurry30, well deserved #704
— Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) May 28, 2015
I have to say congrats to my young brothers for winning the western conference and getting to the… https://t.co/n4LW9eHETE — Jermaine O’Neal (@jermaineoneal) May 28, 2015
3 Heels in the Finals. #UNC
— Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) May 28, 2015
This warriors/cavs finals is gonna be exciting!! Who do you have winning it this year? — Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) May 28, 2015
Happy for the warriors fan base they deserve this…….
— speedy claxton (@speeddeamon) May 28, 2015
Always wanted to see @warriors in the finals. Congrats to the Ws happy for the franchise. Well deserved !!!! #NBAFinals — Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) May 28, 2015
NBA FINALS GSW & CAVS WOOWW,LOOKING FORWARD TO IT..
— mehmetokur13 (@MehmetOkur13) May 28, 2015
#NBAFinals Bound!! pic.twitter.com/ge2ovgLcZb — Adonal Foyle (@afoyle3131) May 28, 2015
gotta show love for coach Jackson. laid the foundation, gave this team that swagger they have now.
— Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) May 28, 2015
No matter what @JHarden13 had a great season. Congrats to @StephenCurry30 on his first finals — Rudy Gay (@RudyGay8) May 28, 2015
Btw they did Mark Jackson dirty by making him work this game
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay8) May 28, 2015
Western Conference Champions!!! #Warriors #BeepBeep #ThankYouBayArea https://t.co/vRul9LIRbS — Leandro Barbosa (@TheBlurBarbosa) May 28, 2015
The Golden State Warriors are in the NBA Finals! The kid in me can’t stop smiling…thanks Clifford Ray pic.twitter.com/NUFuNVOqMn
— Brent Barry (@Barryathree) May 28, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.