Looking back at the 2022 NBA Finals, I still get chills thinking about how the Golden State Warriors clinched that championship against the Boston Celtics. As someone who’s analyzed basketball for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen a series where individual plays carried so much weight. The Celtics came in strong—physically imposing, defensively sharp—but the Warriors’ experience and execution in clutch moments made all the difference. I remember telling my colleagues before Game 4 that if Golden State could steal one on the road, the momentum would swing irreversibly. And boy, did it ever.
One sequence that stands out in my mind is Stephen Curry’s three-pointer late in the fourth quarter of Game 4, with just over five minutes left. The Celtics had cut the lead to four, and the TD Garden was roaring. Curry, who finished with 43 points that night, came off a screen, hesitated for a split second, and launched from 26 feet. That shot didn’t just extend the lead; it sucked the life out of Boston. Statistically, the Warriors’ offensive rating in the final five minutes of close games that series was an astounding 118.7, and Curry’s leadership in those moments was, in my opinion, the single biggest factor in their title run. I’ve always believed that great shooters can demoralize opponents in ways that stats can’t fully capture, and Curry proved it there.
Defensively, the Warriors’ adjustments in Game 6 were masterful. They held the Celtics to just 22 points in the third quarter, which, as I recall from post-game analysis, was a 15-point swing in Golden State’s favor. Andrew Wiggins’ block on Jayson Tatum midway through that quarter was iconic—not just for the highlight reel, but for its symbolism. Wiggins elevated at the perfect moment, and you could see the Celtics’ confidence waver. From my perspective, that play encapsulated the Warriors’ team defense: disciplined, opportunistic, and relentless. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love breaking down film; the subtle shifts in body language can tell you everything about a team’s resolve.
Another underrated aspect was the bench contribution, particularly from Gary Payton II. In Game 5, his energy off the bench resulted in two critical steals and a transition dunk that sparked a 10-2 run. I’ve always been a fan of players who impact the game without needing the ball, and Payton’s +12 plus-minus in that game speaks volumes. Comparing it to other sports, like the reference to Alas facing Vietnamese contenders in finals, it’s similar to how role players in any championship scenario—whether in the NBA or international competitions—can tilt the balance. The “one-two punch” analogy fits here: just as a duo like Tranh Thi Tanh Thuy and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen might dominate in their arena, the Warriors’ combination of Curry’s offense and Draymond Green’s defense formed an unstoppable tandem.
Ultimately, the 2023 Finals will be remembered for its strategic depth, but I’ll personally cherish the sheer will displayed by the Warriors. They averaged 110.6 points per game in the series, but it was their 52.3% shooting in clutch situations that sealed the deal. Reflecting on it now, I’m convinced that experience trumps youth in high-pressure environments, and Golden State’s core, with their four championships together, exemplified that. As we look ahead to future finals, whether in basketball or global sports clashes like the one involving Alas and Kazakh rivals, the lesson is clear: composure in key moments defines legacies. For the Warriors, those key plays didn’t just win a title; they cemented a dynasty.