It was a valiant effort from an undermanned Spurs team in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, but in the end, it wasn’t nearly enough. The Warriors are one game away from their third straight sweep after winning 120-108 in San Antonio.
Kevin Durant scored 19 points in the third quarter, finished with 33 in what was his signature playoff game thus far in Golden State. The Spurs were hanging around until Durant decided to take over in the third. The timing of his big moments in the 2017 postseason has been remarkable. Whenever the Warriors need to close out an opponent, Durant has been there to deliver. It was Duran’ts third 30-point, 10-rebound game this playoffs.
Credit is due everywhere, though. JaVale McGee had 16 first half points, while Draymond Green completely wiped LaMarcus Aldridge off the court — his 18 points were irrelevant. Steph Curry scored 21 points in what continues to be the best statistical postseason of his career. Even Klay Thompson saddled up on the road, scoring 17 points and pulling down 6 rebounds in an encouraging effort.
This basketball team hasn’t played a poor game since March. They’ve won an unfathomable 26 of 27. In that one loss, the Warriors sat their starting lineup down the stretch. Golden State has so many superstars who do so many different things, certain guys can have off nights and this team can still blow you out. But when they’re on fire, like Saturday at the AT&T Center, their only worthy opponent is the Cavaliers.
Manu Ginobili played his heart out, scoring 21 points in 18 minutes. But without Kawhi Leonard, Gregg Popovich is realizing not even his magical coaching powers are enough to slow down the Warriors. The Spurs are going to have to make another serious play in free agency, or possibly move on from Aldridge, to even challenge the Warriors in a series. That’s a scary thought.
Because the Warriors aren’t going anywhere. Not with Patrick McCaw playing this well as a rookie in a Western Conference Finals. Not with Durant and Curry about to receive massive extensions, not with Thompson and Green locked up for a few more years. The Warriors haven’t lost in 40 days. They are never losing four straight to the Spurs, even if San Antonio adds Kyle Lowry or another star player in the offseason. They are the foreseeable kings of the west for the next three to four years. Unreal.
The sweep is next on the docket. Monday night is when the Warriors sing Popovich and the Spurs to sleep for the 2017 season. No two teams have ever swept through the postseason on their way to the NBA Finals. Cavs-Warriors III is setting up to be one of the — if not the — most anticipated sporting event of all-time.