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The Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-110 in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference playoffs on Thursday.
The Golden State Warriors faced the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday Game-5 of the Western Conference Finals, with previous Warriors leading the series 3-1. Klay Thompson had a game-high 32 points on eight 3-pointers. Stephen Curry scored 15 points and nine assists, while Draymond Green had 17 points and nine assists to lead the Warriors to their sixth NBA Finals in eight seasons.
Golden State concluded the season with the poorest record in the league after Klay Thompson’s career-ending injury and Kevin Durant’s departure following a 2019 NBA Finals defeat to the Toronto Raptors. Following Stephen Curry’s injury the following season, the Warriors were inclined to turn their attention to the future, focusing on developing the next generation of players.
“For our team, our guys, especially the core group, to be part of that six times in eight years, I don’t even know what to say,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It just takes an enormous amount of skill and determination and work.“
The Warriors started the first quarter with a 5-point lead 28-23, putting pressure on the Mavericks from the start. It goes on to get worse for the Mavericks as the second quarter ends 41-29 giving the Warriors a 17-point lead in the first half at 52-69.
Dallas attempted a comeback in the 3rd quarter, but the significant difference after the 2nd quarter made it really difficult for the Mavs to get back in the game. After struggling to establish his flow in the first four games, Thompson produced his finest game of the series and one of his best of the postseason in the clinching. His eight three-pointers in Game 5 were more than the preceding four combined (seven), and his 32 points were a postseason high.
“It’s hard to put into words really,” Thompson said. “This time last year, I was just starting to jog again and get up and down the court. Now to be feeling like myself, feeling explosive, feeling sure in my movements, I’m just grateful.”
Curry was named the inaugural winner of the Magic Johnson trophy as the Western Conference finals MVP.
The Warriors will now head to the NBA Finals, the opponents are yet to be declared.
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