2018 NBA Finals Game 4 (Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers)

Lore & Background

The Warriors led the game nearly from start to finish. Golden State led 13–3 at the start. Although the Cavaliers took a narrow 39–38 lead in the second quarter, the Warriors led 61–52 at halftime. Golden State expanded their lead in the third quarter and entered the last period with an 86–65 advantage. With Golden State leading 102–77 with 4:03 remaining, LeBron James came out of the game, receiving a standing ovation. Stephen Curry scored 37 points and made seven three-pointers, while Kevin Durant recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Durant was named Finals MVP for the second straight year, receiving seven of the 11 votes, with Curry receiving the other four. Game 4 was also James' last game as a Cavalier as he joined the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason.

In Their Own Story

With the series on the line and Cleveland refusing to fold, Stephen Curry seized control in the fourth quarter. No longer constrained by the Cavaliers' defensive schemes, he began firing from well beyond the arc, draining deep three-pointers that stretched the floor and broke Cleveland's morale. The rhythm was undeniable; each shot forced defenders to scramble further out, opening lanes for his teammates. As the final minutes wound down, the game transformed from a tight battle into a statement of dominance. When the buzzer sounded, the Warriors had not only won the title but reaffirmed their status as the league's undisputed force.

Reader's Guide

The Warriors won the series 4–0. This was the first NBA Finals sweep since 2007. The series broke the record for highest average scoring differential per game (15.0) for an NBA Finals series. As of 2026, the 2018 Finals are the most recent NBA Finals to have a repeat champion and the most recent where the losing team was swept.

Did You Know?

• Kevin Durant averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in the series.
• Durant became the first and only player in Warriors franchise history to win two consecutive NBA Finals MVP Awards.
• Durant also became the first and only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP in his first two seasons with a team.
• The 2018 Finals was the first time in any of North America's four major professional sports leagues that the same two teams met for the championship for four consecutive years.