Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Game 6 victory over Thunder a top-3 moment in Warriors history
Share This Post
Comments
Saturday, May 28, 2016 - 9:45pm
Follow @rattocsn

Game Seven of the Western Conference Final will not be as good as Game Six of the Western Conference Final. That is the only prediction upon which you, the earnest consumer, can reliably trust.

The Golden State Warriors may win. The Oklahoma City Thunder may win. They may play three overtimes in a hot lava shower –- although I am reliably informed that the arena in Oakland has a lava-proof concrete ceiling -- but it won’t match this.

Oh, it should try to do that. It should try to create a hero like Klay Thompson was in Game 6 . . . or for that matter Russell Westbrook. It should have great transitional plays and incandescent defensive moments and moments of huge momentum and tactical swings.

And it should have the Warriors slightly favored in a game that four days ago had a 97 percent chance of either a failure in Oakland or not existing at all.

But it won’t beat this. This should get some time to resonate in the soul, whether it is the exhilaration of the Warriors violating the laws of probability or the stabbing abdominal pain of the Thunder walking off their home floor blank and vacant.

[POOLE: Instant Replay: Magic rally by Warriors forces Game 7]

Now this is unfair to the Thunder, we grant you, but this is a moment in Golden State history that will be topped only by Game 4 of the 1975 Finals and Game 6 of the 2015 Finals. This was the Warriors taking repeated fists to the gullet and falling back but never over, wheezing for breath but never letting the game break their spines.

This was their adversity final.

Not the Stephen Curry injury, not the Game 3 losses last year, not the successive chokeslams in this series. Being down eight in the fourth quarter, with extermination as their likely reward, they rose in unison.

Okay, that last part is a lie. They were lifted by Thompson, whose shooting was elegantly described by head coach Steve Kerr as “ridiculous,” a murderous three by Curry to tie the game at 99, then five intercontinental defensive stops (one missed shot, four turnovers) to consolidate the lead they stole when Thompson hit his 11th three-pointer with 1:35 to play.

To be sure, the Thunder offense was hideous –- Westbrook and Kevin Durant were 20-for-58, 1-for-13 from three, taking 64 percent of the team’s shots, missing six more shots than their teammates combined to take, and ended up averaging a paltry 0.98 points per shot, which is substandard by any metric.

But they also were reduced by Curry and Thompson, whose mathematical response to Durant and Westbrook was 22 for 51, but 17 for 31 from three. In addition, the defense took 19 points from Thunder turnovers, and broke their will in the fourth quarter, when champions do champion things.

So now we are here, on the cusp of a game Monday whose worst feature is that it will end a series that rallied from an uneventful beginning to an incendiary finish. The Warriors know they have won the last two games, but had to be sensational in different ways to do so, and have been gut-kneed by Oklahoma City throughout this fortnight.

In other words, both teams go into Monday knowing they have had to digest the indigestible, and have to remember that relying on momentum to do any of the heavy lifting is asking to lose. Momentum is made, not bestowed, and great games between great teams happen organically rather than by design.

And we should all be good with that. We were looking at a defending champion in the throes of humiliation (think the Heat swept by Chicago in the first round in 2007), and we were looking at a very ornery three-seed ready to knock all the preconceptions of the basketball punditocracy into the dumpster fire of history.

Now we get what we thought all year we would get with Warriors-Spurs. Now we get open-faced history with a side of WTF Was That, because in the end, nothing explains greatness quite like two teams exchanging soul-crushing blows and coming back with more soul for more blows.

So Game 7 is Monday, and let the fates have their way. True believers will find the result all-encompassing, but they must know what we all do –- that we are playing with the casino’s money from this moment forward, even if Game 7 cannot be Game 6 in its wildest drunken fantasies.

And you can’t ask for a fairer damn deal than that.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Pavelski: 'We still have another level' we can play at
Nieto: Penguins 'getting in shot lanes, they swarm us, making it hard'
Manaea: 'It's my job to have that dominant mindset'
Melvin sees improvement all over from A's during win streak

Giants

Instant Replay: Giants on wrong end of walk off vs Braves
Barry Bonds: 'I was just flat-out dumb' as a player
Giants' Pence headed to DL after straining hamstring vs Braves
Giants lineup: Duffy returns, Crawford out
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: After stormy times, A's finish May on upswing
Rewind: 'Motivated' A's making winning look routine
Instant Replay: Manaea K's eight, A's sweep Twins
Notes: A's target a return date for Sonny Gray
Read More

Sharks

Instant Replay: Sheary's OT goal gives Pens 2-0 lead over Sharks
Notes: Rust weighs in on Marleau's hit; 'Bonino, Bonino'
Notes: Penguins piling up shots, including Game 1 vs Sharks
Nieto set to return for Sharks in Game 2
Read More

49ers

Healthy Bethea resumes role on 49ers with Tartt in shadows
NFL Scouting Director: Free agent Boldin 'old and can't run'
NFL moves Pro Bowl from Hawaii to Orlando, drops draft format
Free-agent WR James Jones would 'love' to play for 49ers
Read More

Raiders

Raiders' 'ball-hawking' DB Nelson among best safeties in NFL
Raiders' Jackson moves to RG: 'I'm 100-percent with it'
Raiders OTA observations: Ward's quickness 'pleasant surprise'
Practice skirmishes an 'opportunity to teach' for Raiders
Read More

Warriors

LeBron admits 'mistake' responding to Curry-MVP question
The Rematch: Warriors facing 'totally different' Cavs in 2016 finals
Livingston: If Cavs play fast vs Warriors, 'music to my ears'
Will Iguodala start in 2016 NBA Finals? Kerr 'won't tell'
Read More

NCAA

Report: Ex-Deer Valley star expected to transfer to Cal
Source: Cal's Mathews to graduate, plans to transfer to Gonzaga
Vallejo's Garrido steps down as NCAA career wins leader
Baylor demotes Starr, fires coach Art Briles amid sex assaults scandal
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Giants on wrong end of walk off vs Braves
(17)
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Platinum Moment: Dominant Cueto earns weekly honor
Platinum Moment: Dominant Cueto earns weekly honor
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: After stormy times, A's finish May on upswing
(2)
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Manaea: 'It's my job to have that dominant mindset'
Manaea: 'It's my job to have that dominant mindset'
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: After stormy times, A's finish May on upswing
  • Rewind: 'Motivated' A's making winning look routine
  • Instant Replay: Manaea K's eight, A's sweep Twins
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Sheary's OT goal gives Pens 2-0 lead over Sharks
(5)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Pavelski: 'We still have another level' we can play at
Pavelski: 'We still have another level' we can play at
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Instant Replay: Sheary's OT goal gives Pens 2-0 lead over Sharks
  • Notes: Penguins piling up shots, including Game 1 vs Sharks
  • Nieto set to return for Sharks in Game 2
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

LeBron admits 'mistake' responding to Curry-MVP question
(54)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Steph Curry doesn't play basketball to 'take LeBron's throne'
Steph Curry doesn't play basketball to 'take LeBron's throne'
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • LeBron admits 'mistake' responding to Curry-MVP question
  • The Rematch: Warriors facing 'totally different' Cavs in 2016 finals
  • Will Iguodala start in 2016 NBA Finals? Kerr 'won't tell'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

Source: Ex-Kings assistant Gates set to join Joerger's staff
James Ham

Kings Video

STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

  • After Game 7 loss to Warriors, Durant not ready to discuss future
  • Thunder live and die by their stars: 'Give them that freedom'
  • No regrets from Durant: 'That's how we play, like it or not'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Healthy Bethea resumes role on 49ers with Tartt in shadows
(20)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

49ers WR analyzes Lincecum: 'Great move' for Angels
49ers WR analyzes Lincecum: 'Great move' for Angels
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders' 'ball-hawking' DB Nelson among best safeties in NFL
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Carr not fond of fights in practice: 'Got to take care of each other'
Carr not fond of fights in practice: 'Got to take care of each other'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders' 'ball-hawking' DB Nelson among best safeties in NFL
  • Raiders' Jackson moves to RG: 'I'm 100-percent with it'
  • Raiders OTA observations: Ward's quickness 'pleasant surprise'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Instant Replay: Short-handed Quakes draw, stay unbeaten at home
Julio Lara

More Stories

Instant Replay: Alashe saves Quakes in California Clasico
(2)
Quakes' Wondolowski, Dawkins named to Copa America rosters
(3)
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: 'Motivated' A's making winning look routine
(1)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Instant Replay: Giants on wrong end of walk off vs Braves
(17)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Healthy Bethea resumes role on 49ers with Tartt in shadows
(20)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders' 'ball-hawking' DB Nelson among best safeties in NFL
See more >

MONTE POOLE

LeBron admits 'mistake' responding to Curry-MVP question
(54)
See more >

JAMES HAM

Source: Ex-Kings assistant Gates set to join Joerger's staff
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Instant Replay: Sheary's OT goal gives Pens 2-0 lead over Sharks
(5)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Game 6 victory over Thunder a top-3 moment in Warriors history

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

VOTE YOUR FAVORITE ALL-STAR TEACHER

ast

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Pavelski: 'We still have another level' we can play at
Pavelski: 'We still have another level' we can play at
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California