2017 NBA Championship

Lore & Background

The Warriors entered the Finals undefeated with a 12–0 record in the first three rounds of the playoffs. They won the first three games of the Finals, giving them a 15–0 record, the most consecutive postseason wins in NBA history. After losing Game 4, they bounced back in Game 5 to finish the postseason 16–1, the best winning percentage in NBA playoff history.

Reader's Guide

Kevin Durant was unanimously voted NBA Finals MVP, averaging 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. The Warriors' 'Big Four' consisted of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The team equaled their 2014–15 regular-season record of 67–15.

Did You Know?

• Game 2 was the first postseason game since 1970 where two opposing players each had a triple-double.
• The Warriors hit an NBA Finals record 18 three-pointers in Game 2.

Historic Dominance and Unprecedented Streaks

The 2017-18 campaign marked a zenith of sustained excellence for the Golden State Warriors, culminating in their third championship within a four-year span. By sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the Finals, they achieved a historic milestone: becoming the first franchise in North America's major professional sports to face the same opponent for a title four consecutive years. This dominance was reflected in their postseason record, where they set an NBA benchmark with 16 straight home playoff victories, surpassing the legendary 1990-91 Chicago Bulls. Their collective performance earned them the prestigious Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award. This era solidified their status as a dynasty, securing both the Pacific Division and Western Conference titles for the fourth straight season while overcoming significant adversity to claim their sixth overall championship.

Stephen Curry's Record-Breaking Three-Point Revolution

Stephen Curry redefined perimeter shooting during this championship run, shattering multiple NBA records that highlighted his unparalleled influence on the game. In Game 2 of the Finals alone, he sank nine three-pointers, setting a new standard for the most made from beyond the arc in a single title-deciding contest. His consistency was equally staggering; at the time, he held an ongoing streak of making a three-pointer in 90 consecutive playoff games, a feat that included separate records for home and road performances.

Curry also became the first player to average a triple-double in a playoff series alongside Draymond Green's contributions, though Curry's shooting volume was unique. He finished with 22 threes across the four-game Finals sweep, doubling the previous record. Furthermore, he joined an exclusive club of players with multiple games featuring ten or more made three-pointers, cementing his legacy as the greatest shooter in league history while leading the Warriors to another title.

Kevin Durant's Scoring Prowess and Draymond Green's All-Around Impact

While Curry dominated from distance, Kevin Durant provided an unstoppable scoring force that broke franchise and league records. His presence was pivotal in overcoming the top-seeded Rockets in seven games. Simultaneously, Draymond Green revolutionized the power forward position with his versatility, breaking Tom Gola's franchise record for triple-doubles with 22 total. Green became the first Warrior to average a triple-double across an entire playoff series against New Orleans and set a new postseason benchmark with four triple-doubles. These individual achievements underscored the team's depth, as all four starters were named All-Stars, marking only the ninth time in history a single team had four players selected for the game.

Overcoming Adversity and Franchise Milestones

The road to the championship was fraught with challenges that tested the team's resilience. The Warriors entered the playoffs having lost ten of their final seventeen regular-season games due to injuries affecting all four All-Stars, including a six-week absence for Curry with an MCL sprain. Consequently, they failed to secure home-court advantage or win 60 games for the first time under coach Steve Kerr. Despite this, they executed historic comebacks, becoming the first team in NBA history to overcome halftime deficits of 20+ points twice in a single season against Philadelphia and New Orleans.

The season also marked significant transitions, including David West's retirement after winning two titles with Golden State. The roster additions like Jordan Bell and Chris Boucher complemented the returning core, ensuring continuity as they navigated a difficult regular season to ultimately dominate the postseason.