Warriors

The Warriors went from "Steph Curry has no help" to "They paid for this title" in the span of three days.

But the Warriors aren't breaking any rules in order to have this roster. They are able to go over the salary cap to pay their own players. When that didn't work out, they turned him into Wiggins, but most pundits wondered if he would fit considering his track record in Minnesota. Taking nothing away from Andrew Wiggins but this was a checkbook win for the Warriors." "Andrew Wiggins is not an underdog," Windhorst told Scott Van Pelt on "SportsCenter" moments after the game. You don't just have to beat the Warriors on the court, you've got to beat their checkbook.

The Celtics beat themselves with turnovers and missed free throws in Game 5 as they fell to the Warriors, 104-94. Here are our takeaways from the loss as ...

As for Jaylen Brown, he struggled mightily in the first half with four points on 2-of-10 shooting, along with three turnovers. While he did his part to get Boston back into the game, Tatum once again failed to make his presence felt in the fourth quarter. Tatum's night got off to a rough start with a turnover on the C's first possession. Wiggins came out firing with 16 points in the first half, his postseason career-high for a single half. They ended up outscoring the Celtics by 15 in the quarter to earn a 104-94 win and a 3-2 series lead. But Jordan Poole shifted the momentum back in the Golden State Warriors' favor with a 33-footer to end the frame, and Boston wouldn't recover.

Andrew Wiggins lifted the Golden State Warriors to a 104-94 win in Game 5 over the Boston Celtics with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

A couple great last-ditch closeouts in scramble situations. Golden State has been using him like this the entire postseason and he’s delivering on the biggest stage tonight. •1h ago •1h ago •1h ago Has earned every dollar of his max deal in these playoffs. Played 43 minutes of hounding perimeter defense. The Celtics will lose twice in a row for the first time this postseason. He’s the greatest shooter ever. This is the time we look each other in the eye and figure it out…There’s no tomorrow." That's exactly what we need." Draymond Green on Steph Curry: "He was 0-for-9 from 3.

Golden State dominated early and overcame a quiet night from Stephen Curry to move within a win of another championship.

Buckner: The Celtics should be on their way to the title. That’s the part where we’ve got to have carry-over, not only game to game but quarter to quarter.” Yet the Celtics also found themselves in uncharted waters as they fell to 7-1 in these playoffs after a loss. In the decisive sequence, Wiggins scored 10 fourth-quarter points and threw down a thunderous dunk that proved to be the dagger. Later, Draymond Green and Tatum engaged in a jostling match in front of the Celtics bench. At several moments in the fourth, the Celtics appeared to crack under the pressure. Boston committed 18 turnovers and fell to 0-7 in this postseason when it turns the ball over at least 16 times. Boston did its best to make up for its slow start by briefly grasping control in the third quarter. With the victory, Golden State moved to the cusp of its fourth title in the past eight seasons. Golden State reclaimed the lead by the end of the third period and pushed ahead to start the fourth. It was a great effort, but we’ve got to rev it back up and do it again.” But we’ve got a lot of talent and depth to make up for that.

Get a recap of the Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors basketball game.

Celtics: Robert Williams III had 10 points and eight rebounds, starting and playing without limits for the Celtics after aggravating his surgically repaired left knee in Game 4. ... Otto Porter Jr. started for a second straight game with Kevon Looney coming off the bench. “And then the fact that it’s 25 years ago just makes me feel old, of course.” Jayson Tatum had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who lost consecutive games for the first time in the postseason. Al Horford hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:28 left in the period that made it 58-55 as the Celtics finally found their shooting groove from deep. Golden State wound up 9 of 40 from beyond the arc — Wiggins 0 of 6. The drive and kick was beautiful, was working, getting guys wide-open shots,” coach Ime Udoka said. The Celtics were sloppy in stretches, committing 18 turnovers. The Celtics found their own third-quarter magic that has long defined Golden State's success in the second half. “... The bigger the challenge has been that we’ve thrown in front of him, the bigger he’s responded. If the Celtics can win at home, the series will return to the Bay Area for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday. All five games so far have been decided by 10 or more points. One game after his 43-point performance, Curry contributed 16 points and eight assists but was 0 for 9 from 3-point range.

The Warriors have their first series lead of the NBA Finals over the Celtics and are now just one win away from a title.

Curry returned to the floor with 7:44 remaining in regulation with an 85-77 lead and the Celtics would never get closer than that. Boston jumped out to a 19-4 run in the second half and took their first lead of the game. Thompson, Poole, and Wiggins scored all of Golden State’s points in a 10-0 run to start the quarter. In spite of Steph Curry’s least efficient offensive quarter of the series, the Dubs led 27-16 at the end of the first quarter. Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, in particular, set the tone with their best stretch of the NBA Finals. Green was all over the floor defensively, and, for the first time in the series, he had early success scoring. After defending their home floor in a 104-94 victory over the Boston Celtics, the Dubs have a 3-2 series lead and are just one victory away from winning their first title since 2018.

The Golden State Warriors needed a big play to turn the momentum against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Enter Jordan Poole.

The Warriors ran away with it in the fourth quarter to beat the Celtics 104–94 and take a 3–2 lead in the series. With the Celtics ahead 74–72, the guard hit a long-range shot beyond 30 feet with 0.1 left on the clock to put Golden State ahead for good. The Golden State Warriors needed a big play to turn the momentum against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

The Celtics' star players didn't have enough in them after a 16-point comeback in Game 5, going down 3-2 in the NBA Finals. Read more on Boston.com.

On a night when the starters struggled to both shoot and hang on to the ball for lengthy stretches, the Celtics were remarkably close heading into the fourth quarter. The Celtics had plenty of other issues, but missing free throws is an easy way to put yourself in a hole and deflate your offense. The Celtics roared back from a 16-point deficit and took the lead in the third quarter. In Monday’s Game 5, the Warriors hit the Celtics with a haymaker. While multiple calls appeared to go against the Celtics, Udoka preached calm (even though he picked up a technical). They have been the better team every series — including this one — when they don’t turn the ball over, and they finished with 18 on Monday. Go down the other way.” An exhausted Jayson Tatum flung up airballs in the fourth quarter. Andrew Wiggins, however, has been perhaps the Warriors’ second-best player. For the first time in the playoffs, an opponent landed back-to-back hits against the Celtics — they were 7-0 after a loss prior. Jaylen Brown looked bottled up at the worst possible time. And still, the Warriors won by double digits, once again sending both teams’ starters to the bench in the closing minutes.

Despite an off-night from Steph Curry, the Warriors beat the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals behind 26 points and 13 rebounds from Andrew Wiggins.

The Warriors had won the third quarter in each of the first four games and came into Game 5 outscoring the Celtics by 49 points in the frame. But the Celtics caught fire and opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run. He was phenomenal in the first quarter, scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds. He also was a one-man show too often for the Warriors. His teammates promised to give him more help after he scored 43 points in Game 4, and they came through when needed most. Then, the Celtics gave them a scare in the third quarter before the Warriors buckled down and put this game away. He fouled out with three minutes remaining and was a game-high plus-13 at the time.

Despite an off night from superstar guard Stephen Curry, the Warriors moved one win from a title behind a familiar formula.

He shook off his offensive doldrums early with a couple of buckets in the first five minutes. One of Wiggins' signature sequences came midway through the fourth quarter when he forced an air ball from Tatum then took a pass from Curry on the left wing and drove to his right for a floater over Celtics big man Al Horford that extended the Warriors' lead to 11. Wiggins continues to be a revelation for Golden State. For all of the Warriors' appealing offensive style, they feature limited individual shot creation off the dribble, particularly since the departure of Kevin Durant after the 2018-19 season. The first-team All-NBA standout led all scorers with 27 points in his most dominant output of the series. The loss also wasted something the Celtics faithful have been pining for from their superstar -- a Jayson Tatum game. Golden State sold out and relied on its superb help defense, while the Celtics tried to turn the Warriors' shooters into drivers, offering contested shots from long distance when the Warriors settled for them.

Led by Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors won Game 5 on Monday night to take a 3-2 series lead.

It was an all around team effort for the Warriors in Game 5, and it was sorely needed with Curry having an off night. Several of his 3s were hitting off the front of the rim, suggesting his legs were exhausted from carrying the team to a win in Game 4. Thompson had by far his best performance of the series, going 5 of 11 from downtown, and being the only Warriors starter to connect on a 3-pointer. We were bound to get a bad Curry game at some point, and when it happened the attention would turn to which of the Warriors players would pick up the slack. After being an absolute force on the glass in Game 4 to help the Warriors win, Wiggins followed that performance up with an even better showing: 26 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Golden State Warriors are one win away from continuing their dynasty with another championship following their 104-94 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.

It was Golden State 104, Boston 94 on Monday, with the Warriors seizing a 3-2 series lead. After beating the Celtics in Game 4, Golden State came out hot, ...

Tatum’s final stat line was solid—27 points on 10-of-20 shooting—but he was streaky and scored just five points on 1-of-5 shooting in the fourth quarter. Curry doesn’t have the kind of high level superstar next to him he has had in previous seasons, but he has help. They rallied from a 3-2 deficit to beat Milwaukee in the second round. You kind of need to find the right place, the right teammates, that kind of stuff. Wiggins scored seven points in the first and led a Warriors defense that held the Celtics to 34.8% shooting. In Game 5, the Celtics turned the tables. The Warriors have owned the third quarters in this series. In the third quarter, though, Tatum got hot. And after a 26-point, 13-rebound effort in Game 5, he has pushed the Warriors to within one win of a championship. Wiggins averaged 15.8 points in that series and the T-Wolves were eliminated in the first round. This time, though, Boston kept pace, with Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart combining for 14 points in the quarter. After beating the Celtics in Game 4, Golden State came out hot, racing to an early 27-16 first quarter advantage.

After carrying the Warriors for the first four games of the NBA Finals, Steph Curry's teammates took over to have them one win from being champions.

Tonight is a great start, and I look forward to going into Game 6 with the same energy and effort." Thompson was behind only Wiggins with 21 points, and was an efficient 7-for-14 from the field and 5-for-11 from 3-point range. From the opening tip, it was clear Wiggins was bringing the energy and force required for a Warriors win. Before fouling out with three minutes left in the game, Green scored eight points to go with eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal. He's going to be livid going into Game 6, and that's exactly what we need." But in the fourth quarter, he scored 10 points, went 5-for-6 from the field, snatched five rebounds and was a plus-15. He can smell the taste of another ring. He was then held scoreless in the third quarter and only grabbed one rebound as the Warriors were outscored by 11 points. In the past two games, he has taken his overall game to new heights. Scoring a team-high 26 points and grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds, the quiet and soft-spoken small forward might as well have taken a bow at halfcourt. Curry carried the Warriors up to this point. Curry finally turned down the heat and went cold Monday night at Chase Center, scoring only 16 points on 7-for-22 overall.

The Celtics once again find themselves on the brink entering Thursday's Game 6 after falling apart in the fourth quarter Monday night against the Warriors.

I still feel like we have so much better basketball to play that we haven't played in the last two games. A 35-point third quarter when we're moving the ball, getting into the lane, penetrating, kick, getting the wide-open shots we want, we have to have that carry over into the fourth. "We ain't got to win two in one day. Got to win on Thursday. That's all we got to worry about right now." And, while Golden State again deserves credit for how the Celtics fell apart, it also was the latest reminder -- even within a game -- of how wildly this Boston team swings back and forth. "We felt like we had opportunities, kind of started playing like we were playing earlier in the game. This is the time that we look at each other in the eyes and we got to figure it out. We just got to continue to recognize the game, see the game and make in-game adjustments. It was also another game in which both Brown and Tatum got outplayed by a Warrior. Brown was misfiring all night, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists but going 5-for-18 from the field and 0-for-5 from 3-point range. "Fatigue could've played a part in that, whether it's physical or some of the decision-making, turnovers there. It appeared there might be a tomorrow, somehow, for Boston after Game 5 -- despite how terribly the Celtics began the game. "Obviously we're a little discouraged after having such a good third to come out in the fourth and not execute like we needed to," Al Horford said.

We had no idea that he would make this kind of contribution," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "But I think it's a reminder that for every -- almost every player ...

"The fact that there's opportunity for him to do what he's doing because of the way that we play and because of the way that we've embraced him from day one. "He's embraced the challenge of consistency and what he's capable of doing on both ends of the floor," Curry said. "In a situation like this series where things are not as smooth and you have some rough patches, he finds a way to respond with the right energy and approach and toughness that, if you're watching the game, you notice him at all times because he's kind of everywhere," Curry said. In addition to Wiggins, Kerr named Green and Gary Payton II as central figures on that end of the floor. "I mean, buying in is one of the biggest keys to success in this league, and for what Andrew did tonight, I mean, we don't get -- we don't get more excited than when Wiggs dunks on somebody," Klay Thompson said. All season long, the Warriors have hung their hats on being a defense-first team -- a notion that's not necessarily obvious because the roster boasts two of the NBA's best, most dangerous shooters. He's distributing the ball. Wiggins' fit with the Warriors has been consistently discussed throughout the season. They want the best for you. They always bring out the best in you. "We knew we needed his athleticism and defense and his versatility. You kind of need to find the right place, the right teammates, that kind of stuff.

Andrew Wiggins powered Golden State's victory on an off night for Stephen Curry, who went 0 for 9 from 3-point range.

In the first half, Golden State was buoyed by Wiggins, who had 16 points and 7 rebounds, and by Draymond Green, who assembled one of his more assertive stretches of the finals. Golden State appeared locked in from the start, passing the ball from side to side, from corner to corner, in constant pursuit of the best possible shot. Not that the team was always able to connect, shooting 3 of 17 from 3-point range in the first half. By the time Thompson shed Smart to make another 3-pointer, Golden State was back up by 8 points. The Celtics soon took the lead when Marcus Smart and Al Horford connected on consecutive 3-pointers of their own, part of a 19-4 run. SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State had been mucking up its offense for nearly the entire third quarter on Monday night when Andrew Wiggins pushed the ball ahead to Jordan Poole, a young guard with enormous confidence.