The Warriors got their revenge on the Cavaliers on Monday night, shaking off the 3-1 demons to win their second title in three years. For Kevin Durant, it was his first title and also his first Finals MVP win as he played phenomenal basketball all series long. While there was an inevitability about the Warriors’ title this year, there was still just enough intrigue to make the series captivating.
The individual efforts of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were amazing to watch, as was the Warriors offense whenever it would reach its peak — as it did in the second quarter of Game 5. While the end result never felt particularly in doubt, how the Warriors would get there remained interesting and provided some incredible moments.
Those moments were captured by the photographers courtside, and left us with some indelible images of the Warriors’ triumph and the Cavaliers valiant, but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to retain their throne. Below are some of the best images from the Getty Images file from the NBA Finals that tell the story of how it all went down.
I think the first moment we really felt Durant’s presence in the Finals was on his baseline drive and dunk in the first quarter of Game 1, when a slipping LeBron James opened up the baseline and Durant threw it down with authority.
In Game 2, Steve Kerr returned to the bench for the first time since the first round of the playoffs, after battling back issues. He was greeted with a massive ovation from those in Oracle Arena.
This image, as much as any, feels representative of this series with Durant rising for a shot just over the outstretched contest of LeBron James.
It wasn’t Steph Curry’s series in the way it was Durant, but the two-time MVP still managed some big games and, even with Durant, there might not be anyone that electrifies Oracle the way Steph does with a big shot.
Another “picture is worth 1,000 words” moment right here. LeBron James was simply out of answers in this series, despite putting forth one of the greatest individual showings in Finals history, averaging a 31-point triple-double for the series.
One of the lasting things for me from this series will be Kyrie Irving’s absurd ability to finish in traffic, and these two images are two of the best stills that show him contorting and extending to get a clean layup attempt off around a contest.
There were points in this series where it felt like LeBron was going to have to beat the entire Warriors team by himself, and at some moments, you had to stop and wonder if he might be able to.
For all the complaints we’ve seen from former players about the lack of animosity between stars now, and how everyone is friends, we got a reminder in this series that when their on the court and playing, James and Durant are fierce competitors and are going to go after each other. That was never more evident than in their barking match in Game 4 that drew double technicals.
LeBron getting laid out by Tristan Thompson in Game 3 was a scary moment for the Cavs as he was down for a good couple minutes, but managed to stay in the game.
The extremely awkward “fight” between Tristan Thompson and David West, captured in one perfect picture.
This about tells the story at the end. Durant letting the emotions out, fans jumping up in jubilation, Steph Curry on the ground in the background celebrating, and Kyrie Irving exiting the frame looking at the suddenly insurmountable lead on the scoreboard.
The respect from James and Durant in the moment they shared right after the final buzzer was the opposite of their Game 4 animosity, but showed that two friends can compete on the court and remain close when the game is done.
Durant celebrating with Steph and Riley, making her return to the Finals stage.
The party spilled into the streets of Oakland, where fans enjoyed another championship.
