After a wildly entertaining NBA season, we have finally arrived at the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors hope to capture their fourth championship since 2015, while the Boston Celtics look to secure their first title since 2008.
Prior to Game 1, this Celtics squad was new to the Finals, as no one on the Boston roster had played in an NBA Championship game. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Golden State’s 123 games of Finals experience to Boston’s zero games was the largest gap since the Chicago Bulls (134) vs. the Utah Jazz (0) in 1997.
Read More: Why Celtics-Warriors could be an epic series
But Boston’s inexperience on the NBA’s biggest stage proved to be a moot point.
For most of the contest, Golden State appeared to be in complete control as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson recorded historic milestones, but the final 12 minutes were a different story.
After trailing by 12 points to start the fourth quarter, Boston went on a run largely driven by Derrick White and Al Horford to take the lead.
In his first ever Finals appearance, Horford led the team with 26 points while Jaylen Brown and White added point totals of 24 and 21, respectively.
With the 120-108 win, Boston became the first team in NBA Finals history to win a game by double digits after trailing by double digits entering the final frame.
The Celtics outscored the Warriors 40-16 in the fourth quarter and ended the game on a 20-5 run that caught the attention of several stars, including longtime New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman, Kevin Durant and Alex Caruso.
High level of basketball being displayed gentlemen
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 3, 2022
Boston got heart
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) June 3, 2022
What a game!
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) June 3, 2022
Boston fuego muchooo
— kuz (@kylekuzma) June 3, 2022
Sheesh Celtics win with tatum shooting 3-17. I had them losing game 1 and winning the series. . Shocked. That fourth quarter was a masterpiece
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) June 3, 2022
40-16
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) June 3, 2022
Honestly, I expected Boston to take Game 2 but the way they played tonight, Golden State should be worried!! #Bostonin6
— Antoine Bethea (AB41) (@ABethea41) June 3, 2022
Al Horford put on a show tonight !!!! I know the DR is going crazy right now!
— Javale PIERRE 3Xs McGee (@JaValeMcGee) June 3, 2022
That 4th quarter was special
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) June 3, 2022
Team ball is back!!! Watch and learn!! This is going to be a long series!! 👀 #Game1 #BOSvsGS #NBAFinals2022 🏀
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) June 3, 2022
Mahcus smaht
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 3, 2022
boston came to play tonight wow..!
— King me (@sammywatkins) June 3, 2022
3 mo
— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) June 3, 2022
Hoopin Horford
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 3, 2022
Al Horford!
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) June 3, 2022
Horford been hot the whole playoffs
— PJ Washington (@PJWashington) June 3, 2022
Actually, whoever win this game 1, winning it all I think https://t.co/TzbcE92BHv
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) June 3, 2022
Klay makes history
It’s a sign of how dangerous the Warriors are from beyond the arc that Klay Thompson passed LeBron James for second on the all-time playoff 3-pointer list in the second quarter … and No. 1 is his teammate Steph Curry.
SPLASH ROYALTY.@KlayThompson has passed LeBron James for second-most career playoff threes in NBA history ☔️ pic.twitter.com/x06DfeAa5Z
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 3, 2022
Jay-Z takes in the action
Musician, Roc Nation Sports founder and noted Brooklyn Nets fan Jay-Z pulled up to the Chase Center for Game 1.
After the game, he congratulated Jayson Tatum on the comeback victory.
Jay-Z and Jayson Tatum showing love after the Celtics’ big win 🤝
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/NbUTZ6xrR5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 3, 2022
Chef Curry cooks
Stephen Curry kicked off the series’ strong start in the first quarter. His six 3-pointers in the first frame are a Finals record for the most in a quarter.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson couldn’t help but marvel at Curry’s impressive feat.
Magic had to stop the convo to react to Steph’s three 😂 pic.twitter.com/oT41J7MjdG
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 3, 2022
Ja Morant was also among the stars to note his hot start.
steph locked
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 3, 2022
Welp Wardell is here
— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) June 3, 2022
Don’t go under on Wardell
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 3, 2022
Spike’s in the house
Famed director Spike Lee can usually be spotted courtside at New York Knicks games, but tonight he’s at the Chase Center for Game 1.
It’s always a vibe when @Spike_Lee_Joint is in the house 🏠 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/pUUOxQu5tt
— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2022
Eye-catching outfits
Before the game tipped off, the fashion choices by a few players certainly turned some heads. Take Jayson Tatum for example, as he rocked a multi-patterned suit jacket on the pregame runway. His teammate Jaylen Brown donned a leather coat with some graphic jeans.
Dressed to impress 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dens4ReoON
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
Food and drinks
The Warriors went all-out for refreshments at the Chase Center for Game 1. Fans could get chicken waffle cones, souvenir cups for beer or other drinks, Moet & Chandon champagne, black sturgeon caviar and a stone-fruit old fashioned cocktail. There were oyster bars and popcorn bars in some boxes.
Setting the scene
Both squads chose to roll with gold in the series opener.
Boston used the color in complementary fashion by adding a Finals emblem on its jerseys. Meanwhile, Golden State stayed true to its “Gold Blooded” postseason theme with T-shirts.
adding a hint of gold pic.twitter.com/wnWq5iCqPX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
Finals ready pic.twitter.com/J5om811Cnx
— Chase Center (@ChaseCenter) June 2, 2022
Source: www.espn.com