I still get chills thinking back to Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals - that was the moment I knew the championship was slipping away from the Celtics. Having watched basketball for over fifteen years, I've learned to recognize those pivotal sequences where championships are won or lost, and that game was full of them. The Warriors' 107-97 victory might look straightforward in the record books, but what fascinated me was how they systematically dismantled Boston's confidence through a series of calculated moments that shifted the entire series momentum.
What stood out to me most was Golden State's defensive mastery, particularly their shot-blocking presence that completely disrupted Boston's offensive rhythm. Watching Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins control the paint reminded me of something fundamental about basketball that often gets overlooked - the psychological impact of well-executed blocks. I recall Filipino volleyball player Panangin once explaining how "the game becomes faster when there's a block, and it becomes easier for those digging or receiving in the back when we touch the block properly." This principle translated perfectly to that NBA Finals game. When Wiggins blocked Jaylen Brown's dunk attempt in the third quarter, you could see Boston's offensive aggression diminish immediately. The Warriors recorded 6 blocks that game, but their impact felt like triple that number because they made Celtics players second-guess every drive to the basket.
The numbers tell part of the story - Stephen Curry's 43 points were absolutely legendary - but what the stats don't capture is how the Warriors' role players stepped up when it mattered most. I've always believed championship teams need unexpected heroes, and Game 4 delivered exactly that. Jordan Poole's 37-foot buzzer-beater to end the third quarter wasn't just three points - it was a devastating psychological blow that stretched Golden State's lead to 10 points heading into the final period. I remember watching that shot and thinking "this changes everything." The energy completely shifted, and you could see the Celtics' body language change. They'd fought so hard to stay close, only to have the rug pulled out from under them in the most dramatic fashion possible.
What many analysts missed in their post-game breakdowns was how the Warriors controlled the tempo through strategic foul drawing and transition defense. Boston actually shot better from three-point range (38% compared to Golden State's 34%), but the Warriors dominated points in the paint 46-32. They understood that playoff basketball isn't about pretty shooting - it's about controlling the game's rhythm and creating advantages where your opponent least expects them. The Celtics committed 16 turnovers leading to 19 Warriors points, and that's where the game was truly decided. Having covered basketball for various publications, I've noticed that turnover differential in the Finals often predicts the series winner more reliably than shooting percentages.
Looking back, Game 4 demonstrated why experience matters in championship moments. The Warriors had been there before, while the Celtics looked like they were realizing the magnitude of the stage. Golden State's championship DNA showed in how they executed down the stretch - making the right passes, taking quality shots, and maintaining defensive intensity even when their shots weren't falling. That game gave them a 3-1 series lead that ultimately proved insurmountable. In my view, that was the true championship moment - not the final game, but the pivotal Game 4 where the Warriors demonstrated they understood what it takes to win at the highest level when the pressure was at its peak.