The Golden State Warriors are one win away from continuing their dynasty with another championship. Golden State leads the Boston Celtics, 3-2, in the 2022 NBA Finals after the team's 104-94 victory in Game 5 on Monday night. Just two seasons ago, the Warriors finished with the worst record in the Western Conference at 15-50 and now they are on the cusp of their fourth title since 2015.
While Stephen Curry had carried the team to this point, the Warriors provided him with plenty of help in Game 5 as four other players besides Curry -- led by Andrew Wiggins and his 26 points -- scored in double-figures for Golden State. Providing Curry help on the offensive end was something that all of the Warriors' supporting cast mentioned was essential in Game 5 and they did just that to help lead Golden State to a double-digit victory.
With the win, Curry and the Warriors can close this series out at Boston's TD Garden on Thursday night in Game 6.
We were bound to get a bad Curry game at some point, and when it happened the attention would turn to which of the Warriors players would pick up the slack. Given how much Golden State has relied on Curry's brilliance through the first four games of the series, no one could've predicted that it would win the game in which he put up just 16 points and failed to hit a 3-pointer for the first time in 233 games (more on that below). But here we are, the Warriors are up 3-2 in this series against the Celtics and that's because of the standout performance from their role players, but especially Wiggins.
After being an absolute force on the glass in Game 4 to help the Warriors win, Wiggins followed that performance up with an even better showing: 26 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals. He was the primary reason Golden State won Monday night, getting whatever he wanted on offense and being disruptive on the other end of the floor. His really came alive in the fourth quarter where he put up 10 of his 26 points to push what was a one-point lead at the end of the third quarter to a 10-point lead by the end of the game.
While Wiggins was the head of the snake in Golden State's attack in Game 5, he wasn't the only player picking up the slack in the midst of Curry's uncharacteristic game. Thompson had by far his best performance of the series, going 5 of 11 from downtown, and being the only Warriors starter to connect on a 3-pointer. In the past two games leading up to this one it looked like he was taking baby steps toward returning to the sharpshooting forward we've come to expect from him, and in Game 5 he delivered when the Warriors needed him most.
The bench was also a massive advantage for the Warriors on Monday night. Golden State's second unit outscored Boston 31-10, as Jordan Poole and Gary Payton accounted for 29 of those points. Poole's massive buzzer-beating, 35-foot heave at the end of the third quarter is what sparked Golden State's dominant fourth-quarter performance. It was an all around team effort for the Warriors in Game 5, and it was sorely needed with Curry having an off night.
Though the Warriors looked like the superior team for most of this game, in the third quarter the Celtics began to look like the team that won Games 1 and 3 of this series. The offense was coming easy, and the defense was forcing the Warriors into low-quality looks. As a result, Boston used a 10-0 run to open the third quarter to grab its first lead of the night with 6:27 left. It appeared as though the Celtics had the ability to steal this win as they held a slim two-point lead with three seconds left in the third quarter.
But then this happened:
Poole single-handily sucked the life out of the Celtics with this shot to end the third quarter. It gave the Warriors a one-point lead heading into the final 12 minutes of the game, and Golden State never surrendered the lead.
In the fourth quarter the Celtics turned the ball over four times, shot 26.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from deep. It's been one of the nagging issues plaguing the Celtics throughout the postseason. They've struggled at times to generate offense in the fourth quarter, especially when the game is close. It happened in Game 4, where the Warriors outscored the Celtics 15-0 in clutch time (last five minutes of the game), and again Monday night Boston looked out of sorts.
This isn't to say that this game was lost in the fourth quarter, because Boston struggled mightily in the first half as well, committing nine turnovers through the first two quarters. However, they got all the way back in this game in the third quarter and then completely squandered a golden opportunity to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals. I know that this team is young, but you can't let that shot from Poole completely derail your game, especially not with a championship on the line.
Entering Game 5, Curry had hit a 3-pointer in each of his 132 career playoff games. He also connected on a 3-pointer in 233 consecutive games, including both the regular season and the playoffs. You would think that Curry making a single 3-pointer would be a safe bet considering those numbers, but that streak came to an end in Game 5. Curry went 0 for 9 from long range Monday night, breaking his streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer and ending his perfect streak of making one in each of his postseason games. Both of those streaks were NBA records.
After coming off a performance in which he put up 43 points and 10 rebounds, Curry looked a bit gassed in Game 5. Several of his 3s were hitting off the front of the rim, suggesting his legs were exhausted from carrying the team to a win in Game 4. With the uncharacteristic performance Curry turned in for Game 5, you would think the Warriors would've lost. But Boston failed to take advantage of his off shooting night, and now the Warriors are one win away from a championship.
Game 5 was a strange game, as the two teams oscillated between playing terribly and looking unstoppable. The Warriors got off to a hot start, then the Celtics caught fire in the third to take the lead, before the Warriors dominated the fourth to pull away for a double-digit win
Here's a look at the full highlights, as the Warriors took a commanding 3-2 lead in the series
Again, turnovers were the big problem for the Celtics in Game 5. They coughed it up 18 times, leading to 22 points for the Warriors. That sort of carelessness with the ball is just too hard to overcome, especially against another great team. Postgame, Jayson Tatun reiterated what everyone has been saying:
"Yeah, we got to be better. We're hard to beat when we don't turn the ball over. Clearly, we're easy to beat when we do turn the ball over."
The Celtics have been in this position before during this run, and no one in the locker room is giving up hope. Jaylen Brown is looking forward to Game 6, and believes his team has what it takes to stage a big turnaround
"Your faith got to be at an all-time high. Our faith got to continue to be there. We got to play as a team, as a unit. All season long it's kind of been like us versus everybody. I look at it as no different now."
"My faith is higher than it's ever been before, so I'm looking forward to Game 6."
Klay Thompson took a trip to the ocean prior to Game 5, and it clearly helped because he finished with 21 points on 7 of 14 from the field in one of his best outings of the series. Postgame, he said that the ocean has "healing properties" that you won't find elsewhere:
"You know, it doesn't matter what time of year it is, the Bay, it can be old, but when it's one of those days when it's low 60s and the sun is shining, I make it a point to jump in the ocean. I just think the ocean has healing properties that a pool might not have or a cold tub."
"And just to be immersed in nature like that, it really makes me happy, and just your whole body feels so great when you get out of that cold water and you just feel like -- honestly, you just feel a little closer to God when you look up at beautiful skies and you're just in the ocean. I'm an Aquarius, so I just have always loved the water my whole life. It really is my happy place, besides the hardwood."
With the Warriors' Game 5 win, the trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have no won 20 Finals games together. That is the most Finals win by one trio of players over the last 30 years. If they can make it 21 wins together, they'll get a fourth ring and further cement their legacy
With their Game 5 win, the Warriors have flipped the series and now have a 3-2 lead. That means they're just one win away from their first title since 2018, and fourth in eight seasons. It's easy to get excited, but Jordan Poole said the team is trying not to get ahead of itself
"The same how we have been all series. We're one game closer but we still have got another 48 to go out there and play. Stay locked in. Stay extremely focused and look at our adjustments and find ways to get better. We have to go get a big one on the road, and we feel like we are fully capable of that, but the job is not done yet obviously, we have one more we want to win."
The Celtics made a strong comeback in the third quarter of Game 5, briefly regaining the lead before falling apart in the fourth quarter. Now, they're on the brink of elimination for the third straight series. So far, they're 3-0 in elimination games, winning two against the Bucks and one against the Heat. They've been in this position before, but coming back against the Warriors will be a new challenge
Robert Williams, though, is confident his team has what it takes:
"We know what we need to do. We know what we've been messing up on. Like you said, we've been here before. Got the most confidence in everybody in that locker room."
"Going back to what [Al Horford] said, we have to look each other in the eye now, our backs are up against the wall."
Andrew Wiggins was the player of the game in Game 5, finishing with 26 points and 13 rebounds in 43 minutes. Without his performance, the Warriors likely lose this game. Here's a look at the best from Wiggins on Monday night
Steph Curry carried the Warriors through the first four games of this series, but a combination of fatigue and good defense from the Celtics left him searching for answers in Game 5. He only had 16 points on 7 of 22 from the field, and did not make a single 3-pointer. And yet, the Warriors managed to win.
Draymond Green believes Curry will be ready to go for Game 6 in Boston as a result:
"A win is a win. Whether Steph gets 43, 10, 4, or whether he finishes with 16-for-22 shooting, a win is a win. Obviously, we have spoke about helping him, and I don't think he's been out there helpless, like that's the narrative. But everybody's doing their part, and tonight, a night that he didn't have it going, we found offense elsewhere, and that's kind of what it's been."
"On the same token, if he's got it going, we're going to be heavy Steph Curry. That's just what it is. The whole notion of this guy doesn't -- he doesn't have help, well, you've got 43, he's going to keep shooting, and we're going to do all that we can to get him shooting it."
"It was huge. Now, that's good for us. He was 0-for-9 from three. He's going to be livid going into Game 6, and that's exactly what we need."
Andrew Wiggins was terrific in Game 4 to help the Warriors steal that one in Boston, and he came up big again in Game 5. With Steph Curry struggling, Wiggins went for 26 points and 13 rebounds, and was arguably the best player on the floor. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had high praise for his forward:
"He's definitely confident. He's definitely enjoying the playoffs. He loves the challenge. He loves the competition. And he's found such a crucial role on our team, and I think that empowers him. He knows how much we need him, so he's been fantastic."
"We knew we needed his athleticism and defense and his versatility. We had no idea that he would make this kind of contribution. But I think it's a reminder that for every -- almost every player in the NBA, circumstances are everything. You kind of need to find the right place, the right teammates, that kind of stuff. Wiggs has been a great fit."
The Warriors were the more physical and aggressive team in Game 5, and jumped out to an early double-digit lead before the Celtics seemed to realize the game had started. Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said that was hard to explain:
"Yeah, hard to explain that start. I mean, we lacked the physicality early. They took the fight to us a little bit early. We were struggling to finish in the paint. So that was pretty evident early on."
"Poor start overall. That's hard to explain that, why that is. But we got back in. Turnovers, missed free throws, some of the things obviously, a little bit talking to the refs too much didn't help us in the fourth. But the start is hard to explain. We were guarding well enough. They had 27. For the most part they had 19, 17, with a few minutes left, but our offense was stagnant, unaggressive."
Jayson Tatum was one of the few Celtics who played well in Game 5, but he completely ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. He finished with five points, zero rebounds and zero assists on 1 of 5 from the field in the frame, and the Celtics were minus-15 with him on the floor
It feels like we've been saying the same thing every game for the Celtics this postseason. If they take care of the ball, they win; if they don't, they lose. Once again, they were too careless with the ball, especially to start and end the game. All told they coughed it up 18 times, which led to 22 points for the Warriors.
For the playoffs the Celtics are now 1-7 when they turn the ball over 16 times or more. When they stay under 16 turnovers they are 14-2
If it weren't for Wiggins' play on both ends of the floor, the Warriors don't win this game. He's got 26 points, 13 rebounds and an emphatic dunk to put the exclamation point on this performance. With Curry having an off night, someone had to step up, and Wiggins delivered to put his team one win away from a championship.
The Celtics had not lost consecutive games since March, and were a perfect 7-0 following defeats coming into this game. That streak has come to an end, and they'll now be on the brink of elimination once again. Just a horribly disappointing fourth quarter in which they completely lost any sense of composure
Green picked up his sixth foul with just under three minutes left in the game, but with the Warriors comfortably ahead by 11 points, it may not matter much. Boston has looked lost for much of the fourth quarter and the Warriors have been playing incredibly forceful on both ends of the floor.
The Celtics cannot do anything right in the fourth quarter, and it's looking like they're on the verge of another loss. 1 of 10 from the field with a bunch of turnovers, and it's a double-digit game again. Just extremely disappointing and they can only blame themselves
After that miraculous 3-pointer from Jordan Poole at the end of the third quarter, the Warriors have ignited to outscore the Celtics 16-5 in the fourth quarter with just under five minutes to go. Golden State now has a 91-79 lead, and while there's still a lot of time left, the Warriors have been in complete control.
Green will have to be extra cautious for the remainder of the game after picking up his fifth foul with 7:44 left in the game. This is been his most productive game by far in the Finals (11 points, seven rebounds, five assists), and if he fouls out in this game, it'll be a big loss for the Warriors tonight.
The Celtics completely lost their composure to start the fourth quarter, and it may cost them the game. They've settled down a bit the last minute or so, but are still down by eight and have a long way back. Their inability to stay solid and on track for a full 48 minutes has been a huge issue in these playoffs
Over the past two games Thompson has slowly started to get things going, and tonight it feels like he's finally in a rhythm. He's gone 4 of 9 from 3-point range, the only Warriors starter to connect on a 3-pointer so far. He's up 18 points on the night, and Golden State has certainly needed every bucket he's made.
All of the Celtics' positive energy and good process that we saw in the third quarter has completely disappeared. They're back to playing like they were in the first quarter, where they're just driving head down into the lane hoping for a call that isn't coming. On the other end, the Warriors are getting whatever they want. Really disappointing
The Celtics looked like they would take a slim two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Jordan Poole had other plans. With just three seconds left, Andrew Wiggins got the ball to Poole who was just past halfcourt and he heaved a 35-foot 3-pointer as time expired. At first glance it didn't look like he got it off in time, but the replay showed he got the shot off and it counted, giving Golden State a one-point lead and momentum heading into the fourth quarter.
Jordan Poole's miracle buzzer beater aside, this was still a very positive quarter for the Celtics. They came out of halftime with a completely different mindset, finally made some 3-pointers and won the frame 35-24. This is the first time all series the Celtics have won the third. Now, can they finish the job? It's going to take another strong quarter on the road
Grant Williams just came up hobbled after he stepped on Kevon Looney's foot and rolled his ankle. He's staying in for now but that's something to keep an eye on
Golden State was ahead by 16 points, and entered halftime with a 12-point lead. But six minutes of disastrous offense -- and worse defense -- have allowed Boston to take its first lead of the game with just over six minutes left in the third quarter. The strong production Golden State has gotten out of Wiggins and Thompson has stalled, and Curry has yet to score in the second half.
The Celtics' ice-cold 3-point shooting has completely flipped in the second half. They've now made an incredible eight straight shots from behind the arc and have come all the way back to take the lead in the middle of the third quarter. This is very reminiscent of the fourth quarter of Game 1.
The Warriors have dominated the third quarter in this series, but tonight it's the Celtics who have come out of the break looking like a different team. Jaylen Brown got things started with some aggressive drives to earn free throws, and Jayson Tatum has added a few 3-pointers. All of a sudden it's a two-point game
Jayson Tatum has 13 points and eight rebounds at the half. The rest of the team has 26 points on 10 of 32 from the field. That simply isn't good enough in any game, let alone Game 5 of the NBA Finals on the road. They've turned the ball over nine times already, leading to 13 points for the Warriors, are shooting 3 of 15 from 3-point land and 4 of 9 from the free throw line and have made some bad mistakes on the other end. Despite all of that they're still within striking distance, but it's going to take a complete 180 in the second half to win this game
For the first six minutes of the second quarter, the Warriors looked like they were going to surrender the lead to a Celtics team that was starting to settle into the game. But Wiggins starting going off on offense, the defense started forcing the Celtics into mistakes and now Golden State will enter halftime with a 51-39 lead. The Warriors have been the better team for most of the first half, if they keep this up, they should leave with a win tonight.
