When May has shown up on the calendar in the past, the Golden State Warriors have been busy prepping for an NBA Finals run. However, in 2020 the Warriors are in a different situation. A league-worst 15-50 record has already sealed Golden State’s playoff hopes with 17 games remaining on the slate. Instead of the playoffs, the Warriors have turned their attention to the NBA draft.
With no playoff hoops, Warriors Wire is looking back into Golden State’s postseason history to highlight standout performances and games worthy of a rewatch. For the latest edition of Warriors Playoff Rewind, we’re looking back to 2016.
As famed as Klay Thompson’s epic performance was in game six against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Warriors still had to handle business at Oracle Arena in game seven of the 2016 Western Conference Finals. Before advancing to their second straight NBA Finals, the Warriors had to finish their series comeback against Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in a winner-take-all game in the Bay Area.
May 30, 2016
Just like the start of the series, Oklahoma City jumped out to an early lead. Yet, all the Warriors needed was the third quarter. The Thunder came out of halftime with a six-point lead and ended the third period down 11.
Behind a trio of triples from Stephen Curry, the Warriors outscored Oklahoma City 29-12. The Warriors coasted to victory in the final quarter to advance to the NBA Finals.
Curry finished with a game-high 36 points on 13-of-24 shooting from the field with seven 3-pointers. The two-time MVP added eight assists and five rebounds. Thompson dropped 21 points with six makes from beyond the arc of his own.
Golden State’s defense shined in game seven, holding the Thunder’s offense to only 88 points. Oklahoma City’s All-Star duo of Durant and Westbrook combined for 46 points.
Watch highlights from Golden State’s game seven victory on YouTube:
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