No one thought anyone could take down the Golden State Warriors but that’s only because no one predicted the onslaught of injuries
Photo from NBA | Art by Tricia Guevara
The Golden State Warriors have played exactly 100 games this season and never have they experienced as many injuries in their lineup as they have in the finals. The defending champions entered Game Three without three of its most important players—Kevin Durant, Klay Thomson, and Kevon Looney.
Stephen Curry, who now handles the rotation more than ever, tried to execute the game like how he normally does—create space and produce from it. Throughout Game Three, this was what Curry attempted to do but there was no other Warrior who could consistently convert.
So the two-time MVP had to take over but not in the way you would expect him to do. He erupted for a playoff-high of 47 points. Twenty five of Curry’s points came in the first half alone as he scored seven of the team’s nine field goals. In the second half, he put up 22 points and finished with more field goals than the rest of the Warriors’ starting lineup.
In basketball, a player can only do so much to win for the team. This 123-109 loss to the Raptors gave Curry a taste of LeBron James’ situation the past five years as the lonesome star who pushed himself beyond his limits due to injured teammates.
It didn’t take long for the Toronto Raptors to bounce back from their Game Two loss. In a night where the Warriors had missing pieces, it seemed as if everything was going Toronto’s way. The Raptors had one of the best shooting performances in team history after converting an impressive 45 percent from the three-point arc and 52 percent from the field. Unlike the Warriors, not a single starter in the Raptors scored fewer than 17 points, which was the reason why the team led throughout the game.
The clutch shooting of Danny Green and Kyle Lowry was another reason why the Raptors played its best game in the finals yet. Every time the Warrios attempted a run, the Raptors had an answer. Majority of the loose balls, small breaks, and shots went their way and it’s these little things that make a huge impact. Green’s outstanding three-point night saw him convert six out of 10 attempts while Kawhi Leonard’s “quiet” 30-point game was too much for the defending champions.
We have reached a point where it seems the Golden State Warriors could possibly be in jeopardy of losing their fourth NBA championship in five years. No one ever thought this golden dynasty would ever go down but that’s because no one could have ever predicted injuries, too. As the finals intensifies, the defending champions now find themselves not just up against a fierce and hungry Raptors team but also the most unfortunate injuries they have ever experienced this season.
But then again, the Golden State Warriors are the defending champions for a reason. They have been in the biggest stage of basketball for over five years now and that’s proof that they have what it takes to grind their way through multiple injuries.
As cliché as it sounds, you can’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion.