Seven years ago today, on June 8, 2018, the Golden State Warriors cemented their place in NBA history by completing a dominant sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, securing their second consecutive championship and third in four years. This victory was the culmination of an era of unprecedented success, marking a period where the “Dubs” seemed virtually unstoppable, accumulating innumerable trophies and rewriting the record books.
The 2017-2018 NBA season was a remarkable chapter in the Warriors’ dynasty. Coming off their 2017 championship, where they had added Kevin Durant to an already formidable core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, expectations were sky-high. Despite some mid-season challenges, including injuries to key players, the Warriors finished the regular season with a stellar 58-24 record, earning the second seed in the Western Conference. Their journey through the playoffs was a testament to their resilience and star power. They dispatched the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the first round and then defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, also in five games, in the Western Conference Semifinals.
The true test came in the Western Conference Finals against the top-seeded Houston Rockets, led by James Harden and Chris Paul. This series was a grueling, seven-game battle, widely considered one of the most intense and competitive playoff series of that decade. The Warriors faced a 3-2 deficit, pushing them to the brink of elimination, but they ultimately rallied, winning Game 6 at home and Game 7 in Houston, showcasing their championship pedigree and mental fortitude. It was a victory that underscored their ability to perform under immense pressure and overcome elite opposition.
Having survived the Western Conference gauntlet, the Warriors advanced to their fourth consecutive NBA Finals matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the Cavaliers had also battled through a tough Eastern Conference playoff run, the 2018 Finals proved to be a heavily lopsided affair. The Warriors, despite being the defending champions, had an extra gear.
Game 1, played on May 31, 2018, set a dramatic tone. It was a tightly contested game that went into overtime, highlighted by a legendary 51-point performance from LeBron James. However, a crucial blunder by JR Smith at the end of regulation, combined with a strong overtime surge from the Warriors, led to a 124-114 Golden State victory. This heartbreaking loss for the Cavaliers seemed to deflate their spirit for the remainder of the series.
The Warriors then took control in Game 2, winning 122-103, with Stephen Curry exploding for 33 points, including a Finals-record nine three-pointers. In Game 3, on June 6, 2018, Kevin Durant delivered a masterpiece, scoring 43 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists in a crucial 110-102 road victory. His heroics, particularly a late-game pull-up three over LeBron James, were pivotal in virtually sealing the series.
Finally, on June 8, 2018, the Golden State Warriors completed the sweep in Game 4 with a dominant 108-85 victory in Cleveland. Stephen Curry led the way with 37 points, while Kevin Durant recorded his first Finals triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, earning him his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award. The victory marked the Warriors’ third championship in four years, establishing them as one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.
The trophies accumulated during this period were indeed innumerable. Beyond the three Larry O’Brien trophies (2015, 2017, 2018), the Warriors’ core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, along with Kevin Durant, garnered a plethora of individual accolades. Stephen Curry, the undisputed face of the franchise, had already earned two MVP awards (2015, 2016) and would go on to add another Finals MVP in 2022. Kevin Durant’s two Finals MVP awards (2017, 2018) highlighted his critical role in their back-to-back triumphs. Draymond Green consistently earned All-Defensive team honors and a Defensive Player of the Year award (2017), showcasing the defensive backbone of the team. Klay Thompson, while often lauded for his quiet demeanor, earned multiple All-Star selections and was a crucial part of the “Splash Brothers” phenomenon.
The team also broke numerous regular season records, most notably their unprecedented 73-9 regular season record in the 2015-2016 season, surpassing the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls for the best regular season record in NBA history. While that season famously ended in a Finals loss, it demonstrated the sheer dominance and statistical superiority of the team. Their continuous presence in the NBA Finals for five consecutive years (2015-2019) is a testament to their sustained excellence and consistency, a feat rarely achieved in the modern NBA.
Seven years ago today, that sweep of the Cavaliers was more than just a championship; it was a reaffirmation of a dynasty built on revolutionary offensive basketball, unparalleled shooting, defensive versatility, and a deep, talented roster. The Warriors of that era transformed the NBA, popularizing three-point shooting and “small ball” lineups. Their influence on the game’s strategy and pace is still felt today.
While the years that followed brought challenges – injuries, departures, and a brief period out of championship contention – that 2018 victory stands as a powerful reminder of the Golden State Warriors’ peak, a period when they truly went back-to-back and collected a trove of individual and team trophies, etching their names permanently in the annals of basketball greatness.
