NBA fans stunned by 'insane' Celtics feat as Finals records tumble
The Boston Celtics have stunned the basketball world by producing a spectacular fourth quarter comeback to steal game one of the NBA finals on the road.
Down by double digits heading into the fourth quarter, Boston went on a tear to eventually claim a convincing 120-108 victory.
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Former MVP Steph Curry burst out of the gate with a 21-point first quarter, but the Warriors broke the game open in the third.
They outscored the Celtics 38-24 coming out of half-time to put themselves in a commanding position heading into the fourth.
Up by 12, the Warriors' lead evaporated as the Celtics uncorked a massive run to erase the lead in a matter of minutes, Jaylen Brown keying what would ultimately be a game-winning 17-0 run.
Al Horford, playing in his first Finals game after 141 playoff games without making it to the last series, led the way for the Celtics with 26 points, including six 3-pointers. The teams combined for a Finals-record 40 3-pointers, smashing the previous record of 35 set by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors in 2017.
That wasn't the only record to tumble, with Jayson Tatum's 13 assists for Boston the most in a Finals debut - breaking a three-way tie between Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and John Stockton who each had 12 on debut.
Curry's six-of-eight three pointers in his explosive first quarter also meant he had beaten his own record for most triples in a period, which he had previously set at five.
NBA fans on social media couldn't believe what they were seeing as the Celtics put together their fourth quarter run.
The Celtics are the first team in NBA Finals history to win a game by double digits after trailing by double digits entering the 4th quarter per @ESPNStatsInfo
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) June 3, 2022
Boston's response to that third quarter haymaker ... with zero NBA Finals experience and Tatum struggling beyond words ... can't overstate how impressive this fourth quarter has been.
Golden State was 9-0 at home in the playoffs.— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 3, 2022
the swings in this second half have been insane to witness
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 3, 2022
Everyone in this building is – understandably – stunned by the turn of events here. It looked like Golden State was firmly in control after that third quarter. Now, Boston is 3:17 away from taking home court in this series.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 3, 2022
Celtics role players couldn’t miss in the 4th. Didn’t think a full strength Warrior team would go 5 scoreless mins, in a Finals game. No sweeping proclamations needed, every game in the playoffs produces a different story line. Boston 1-0.
— Rapper Big Pooh (@RapperBigPooh) June 3, 2022
The fact that the Celtics won that game with Tatum going 3/17 and surviving the warriors third quarter blitz on the road is really impressive.
— Ibrahim H. (@KingOfQueenz) June 3, 2022
Boston Celtics surge past Warriors to win NBA Finals game one
Curry finished with a game-high 34 points. Andrew Wiggins added 20 points for the Warriors.
Klay Thompson moved into second place on the all-time playoff 3-pointers list, passing LeBron James. Curry is first on that list. Thompson had 15 points and three 3-pointers Thursday.
Warriors forwards Otto Porter Jr. (foot soreness) and Andre Iguodala (neck) played after missing time in the previous rounds. Iguodala became the first non-Lakers or Celtics player to play in seven Finals series.
Gary Payton II (broken elbow) was cleared before the game, but did not play.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum struggled, going just 3 of 17 for 12 points with 13 assists.
“It hasn’t been our first time being down in that position, nor in this game, let alone all season,” Marcus Smart said.
“We came in with a game plan. For us it was just to stick with it, believe in ourselves. Kept doing that. As you see, everybody starts to catch fire, get hot, things start to go our way.”
Head coach Ime Udoka said the Celtics took pride in the fact they had learned
“That’s kind of who we’ve been all year. Tough grinders, resilient group that we can always know we can rely on our defense to kind of buckle down when needed,” Udoka said, describing a team that has taken on the personality of its coach.
A Boston team that had zero players with Finals experience were the ones showing poise in the fourth, while the dynasty Warriors were the ones turning the ball over, giving up key offensive rebounds, and looking a step slow.
With agencies
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