Warriors-Thunder playoff series: Here’s what you need to know
There will be no shortage of star power or scoring when the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder meet in what has the potential to be an electrifying best-of-seven NBA Western Conference finals matchup.
The Warriors, who won a record 73 games during the regular season, reached the conference finals by beating the listless Houston Rockets in five games in the opening round of the playoffs, then doing the same against a Portland Trail Blazers team that gave Golden State all it could handle in the semifinals.
Oklahoma City beat the San Antonio Spurs in six games to advance to the conference finals for the fourth time in six years.
Three on three
Here’s a look at three key players for each team:
Warriors
Thunder
Schedule
All games on TNT
Monday, May 16: at Golden State, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18: at Golden State, 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 22: at San Antonio, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24: at San Antonio, 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 26: at Golden State, 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 28: at San Antonio, 6 p.m.
Monday, May 30: at Golden State, 6 p.m.
Season meetings
Feb. 6
Warriors 116, Spurs 108 in Oakland – With a Super Bowl-sized stage, a celebrity-filled crowd and two championship contenders on the floor, it felt more like late May in Oracle Arena than early February. Stephen Curry was up to the task. Curry scored 26 points and keyed a strong closing stretch with three baskets and two assists during a 12-4 run. Kevin Durant had 40 points and 14 rebounds and Russell Westbrook added 27 points and 12 assists for the Thunder.
Feb. 26
Warriors 121, Spurs 118 (OT) in Oklahoma City – Stephen Curry had no clue how far from the hoop he was. He just knew it was time to shoot. His three-pointer from beyond 30 feet with 0.6 seconds left in overtime gave Golden State the win. Curry finished with 46 points, and his winning shot was his 12th three-pointer, tying the NBA single-game record. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 37 points, but he fouled out in the first minute of overtime. Even without him, Oklahoma City was in position to win. The Thunder played one of its better defensive games of the season and shut down the other Warriors players from beyond the three-point line.
March 3
Golden State 121, Spurs 106 in Oakland – Stephen Curry scored 33 points in his return from an ankle injury. Klay Thompson scored 21 for the Warriors, and reserve Shaun Livingston provided 11 points, eight assists and tough defense on Kevin Durant.
Social media weighs in
NBA Fans we are in for a treat! We will see the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 13, 2016
Russell Westbrook is looking for revenge against the Warriors! https://t.co/Kwh5SeSNno
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 13, 2016
Warriors-Thunder provided us one of the most entertaining games of the regular season. https://t.co/AqZq6Sr3jl
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 13, 2016
The Thunder will meet the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors have a 71% chance to win the series per ESPN's BPI.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 13, 2016
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Warriors-Thunder playoff series: Here’s what you need to know."