Home

Game six Klay shows up early as Golden State clinch sixth NBA Finals appearance in eight seasons against Dallas

Josh DubrowAP
CommentsComments
Golden State Warriors advanced to their sixth NBA Finals in the past eight seasons by beating the Dallas Mavericks 120-110 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
Camera IconGolden State Warriors advanced to their sixth NBA Finals in the past eight seasons by beating the Dallas Mavericks 120-110 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Credit: Jeff Chiu/AP

Klay Thompson shimmied his way to 32 points and the Golden State Warriors advanced to their sixth NBA Finals in the past eight seasons by beating the Dallas Mavericks 120-110 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

Thompson scored 19 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer that he punctuated with teammate Stephen Curry’s signature shake as the Warriors raced out to a 17-point halftime lead and coasted the rest of the way.

Andrew Wiggins added 18 points and 10 rebounds, Draymond Green scored 17 points and Curry had 15 points and nine assists for Golden State.

Luka Doncic overcame a slow start to score 28 points for the Mavericks. Spencer Dinwiddie added 26.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

After missing the playoffs in 2020 and ‘21 in back-to back injury-plagued seasons, the Warriors are returning to a familiar stage.

The Game AFL 2024

They are the first team to make six finals appearances in an eight-year span since the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls had a pair of three-peats from 1991-93 and 1996-98.

Golden State will host the winner of the Eastern Conference finals between Boston and Miami on June 2 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The Celtics hold a 3-2 lead heading into Game 6 at home on Friday night.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, top left, makes a 3-point basket over Dallas Mavericks guard Reggie Bullock during the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in San Francisco, Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Camera IconGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, top left, makes a 3-point basket over Dallas Mavericks guard Reggie Bullock during the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in San Francisco, Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti) Credit: John Hefti/AP

The Warriors followed their pattern from the first two rounds by bouncing back after squandering a chance to end a series on the road by winning at home.

Golden State is now 9-0 at the Chase Center this post-season, tying the 2017 team for the the most consecutive home wins in a single pos-tseason in NBA history.

The star was Thompson, who sat out the past two seasons with injuries but showed flashes of his old self in this clincher.

After making just seven 3-pointers in the first four games of the series, Thompson had eight this game.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right, is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry during the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in San Francisco, Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Camera IconDallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right, is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry during the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals in San Francisco, Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti) Credit: John Hefti/AP

He gave the Warriors a 13-point lead in the first half when he hit one from the corner before dancing and added two early in the third quarter for a 23-point lead.

Dallas cut a 25-point deficit down to eight in the final minute of the third quarter but couldn’t get over the hump in the fourth.

Thompson’s 3-pointer with just under 3 minutes left gave the Warriors a 15-point lead.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails