Written by Charlie Erdman
After two years of missing the playoffs, the Golden State Warriors are back in business. The Warriors began their playoff push with a dominant series win against the Denver Nuggets. Following their first-round win, the Warriors took on the young and talented Memphis Grizzlies. Rising stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr proved to be a difficult test for the Warriors. In the end, Golden State overcame adversity and won the series 4 games to 2. Moving to the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors matched up with the Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks. The Dubs displayed their deadly potential and infectious chemistry against Dallas and went on to dominate the series with a gentlemen’s sweep of 4 games to 1. With a record of 12-4 in the 2022 NBA playoffs, the Golden State Warriors enter their 6th NBA Finals in the past 8 years. Poised to exhibit their dominance with superstars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green entering the final years of their prime, the Warriors will vie for basketball supremacy against the surging Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics.
The Golden State Warriors look for some positive news on the injury front with Gary Payton II set to return after fracturing his elbow against the Memphis Grizzlies. Payton II, is the son of NBA Hall of Famer “the Glove” Gary Payton. The elder Payton stands as one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. GP2 provides a similar skillset with his defensive mastery and flashy athleticism. GP2 made the Warriors roster after an impressive display in the NBA summer league and has since pushed himself into Coach Steve Kerr’s rotation with continued success. The Warriors will need GP2 and his defensive acumen in the NBA Finals with guards Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White excelling for the Boston Celtics. In addition to GP2’s return, the Warriors will hope to get Otto Porter Jr back from a left foot injury he suffered against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. And finally, 38-year-old Andre Iguodala, the Warriors 2015 NBA Finals MVP, hopes to return to the court for the first time since April 24th of this year. All three players provide key contributions to a Warriors squad that relies on its depth, highlighted by the team’s handle, “Strength in Numbers”.
The NBA Finals begin this Thursday, June 2nd, at 6 PM on ESPN. The Warriors hold home-court advantage as the series will begin in San Francisco at Chase Center. For more information on the NBA Finals, Warriors, or Celtics, please visit NBA.com.