Warriors Win Western Conference, Qualifies For NBA Finals

By Gabriel Obiti

The Golden State Warriors have for the 6th time in 8 years qualified for the NBA Finals, after defeating Dallas Mavericks 120-110 in their Game 5 Western Conference Final matchup in San Francisco Friday morning (WAT).

The Warriors won the series 4-1, to be crowned champions of the NBA Western Conference for the 6th time In 8 years. The core of the team from the beginning of this 8-year run largely remain the same with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and coach Steve Kerr fixtures in the team throughout the period.

Golden State is doing this, after two years of failing to make the playoffs which coincided with All-Star Klay Thompson being out with ACL and Achilles injuries. The team had the worst record in the league in 2020 and was ousted in the Play-In tournament by Memphis Grizzles last year.

Golden State Warriors who finished 3rd in the Western Conference during the regular started the series at home against the 4th seed Mavericks. The Warriors took the first two games at home, then won Game 3 in Dallas. The Mavericks fought to avoid a clean sweep in Game 4 to set up a return to Golden State.

Klay Thompson scored 32 to lead the Warriors in points as they took a 25-point lead before Dallas whittled it down to 10 points late in the fourth quarter. Luka Doncic was the high point man for the Dallas Mavericks with 28 points.

Steph Curry was named the inaugural Magic Johnson Western Conference Final MVP after he averaged 23.8 points 7.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 43.8% in the series. Warriors will now wait to see who their NBA Final opponents will be as the Eastern Conference Final continues on Saturday.

Boston Celtics lead Miami Heat 3-2 in that series with Game 6 to be played in the TD Garden in Boston.

The NBA FINAL will start on June 1st.