The well-rested Golden State Warriors earned more rest when they swept the injury-depleted San Antonio Spurs with a 129-115 victory in the Western Conference Finals. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry dominated the series and proved that they were too much for the Spurs.
Durant & Curry Dominate to Sweep Warriors Back to NBA Finals
The Warriors qualified for their third straight NBA Finals series and are undefeated in the playoffs. They are the first team in NBA history to start the playoffs 12-0. The Dubs now have nine days off before the NBA Finals begin since the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in Game three of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Injuries to Star Players Too Much for Spurs to Overcome
The Spurs were already without star point guard Tony Parker for the whole series. The Spurs lost star forward Kawhi Leonard who suffered a second ankle injury with 7:52 remaining in the third quarter of Game one and never returned to the series. Leonard landed on the ankle of Warriors’ Zaza Pachulia following a jump shot. The Spurs believed that Pachulia intentionally moved into Leonard to cause the injury.
The Warriors outscored the Spurs by 87 points after losing Leonard. The Spurs were also without David Lee who suffered a torn left patellar tendon in Game 3.
Curry and Durant Dominated Series
Curry scored 36 points and the Warriors led by as many as 22 points in game four. Durant, who had also sizzled during the series, scored 29 points and 12 rebounds. The Warriors shot 56% and were 14 of 39 on 3-point shots. Draymond Green scored 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, but was mocked for an obvious flop during the game.
Aldridge Came Up Small for Spurs in Elimination Game
Kyle Anderson scored 20 points to lead the Spurs. In possibly his last game, 39 year-old Manu Ginobli, scored 15 points and had seven assists. Patty Mills and Pao Gasol added 14 points each. LaMarcus Aldridge came up small with only eight points and seven rebounds. Typically, the Spurs did only as well as Aldridge played during the playoffs.
Now the Warriors will wait for the winner of the Cavaliers and Boston Celtics series. If the Cavaliers can win the series, LeBron James will participate in his seventh straight NBA Finals.
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
