Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have done it again. The “Splash Brothers” are in the NBA Finals, ending the Dallas Mavericks’ surprisingly strong season
The Dallas Mavericks didn’t quite match their previous performances in the Western Conference Finals series, their surprising run through the NBA play-offs thus coming to an end just before the big finish – and the Texans can’t add to their 2011 title win under Dirk Nowitzki for now.
Doncic gets going too late
Superstar Luka Doncic was overshadowed by Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry for a long time in the 110-120 in the fifth duel with the Warriors, only got going when everything was actually too late – 28 points, nine rebounds, six assists.
“Great season. Proud of the boys,” Nowitzki tweeted after his Mavs’ exit. His compatriot Maxi Kleber finished with seven points, one assist and eight rebounds in the decisive game, while newcomer Spencer Dinwiddie again lived up to expectations with 26 points (five threes).
Comparisons with Jordan’s Chicago Bulls
But the Mavs were clearly overshadowed in San Francisco by the Warriors, who advanced to the Finals for the sixth time in eight years after successes in 2015, 2017 and 2018 – already reminiscent of the golden age of the Chicago Bulls under Michael Jordan, who won all six of their Finals between 1991 and 1998. Warriors opponents this summer will be the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat.
“It’s a blessing for us to get back to where we belong,” said Curry, who was named the Western Conference’s Most Valuable Player of the playoffs – though he still fell short in game five, scoring 15 points (5 of 17 from the field). No matter, “Splash Brother” Thompson held the reins firmly in his hands and scored 32 points (eight threes!). The often underrated Andrew Wiggins underlined his value once again (18/10), Draymond Green (17/6/9) even made a three-pointer, and Jordan Poole sprinkled in 16 points coming off the bench.
“To be in the Finals six times in eight years just takes a tremendous amount of skill, determination and work and I couldn’t be prouder of my guys,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. In the past two seasons, Golden State had also missed the play-offs due to injuries to its protagonists.
