OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors brought Kevin Durant to the Bay Area last summer for the express purpose of winning an NBA title and erasing the memory of last year’s collapse against Cleveland in the finals. Mission accomplished.
Durant pumped in 39 points and the Warriors won their second championship in three seasons by taking Game 5 of the finals, 129-120 over the Cavaliers. The All-Star forward shot 14-for-20 from the field, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range in helping Golden State close out its third title since the franchise moved from Philadelphia in 1962.
Durant was named MVP of the finals, 10 years after being taken second overall in the NBA draft.
Warriors guard Stephen (STEH’-fehn) Curry shot just 2-for-9 from beyond the arc but finished with 34 points and a team-high 10 assists.