Warriors top Celtics in Game 6 to capture 4th title in 8 seasons

The Golden State Warriors are on top of the basketball world once again.

Stephen Curry finished with 34 points and seven assists to help the Warriors edge the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden on Thursday. The win secured Golden State's fourth title in eight seasons and the team's first since 2018.

"This one hits different for sure. Just knowing what the last three years have meant, what it's been like," Curry told reporters postgame. "From injuries to changing of the guard and the rosters, (Andrew) Wiggins coming through, or young guys.

"Carrying the belief that we could get back to this stage and win even if it didn't make sense to anybody when we said it. All that stuff matters and now we've got four championships ... it's special."

This marks Curry's fourth championship and first Finals MVP award after he averaged 31.2 points, five assists, and two steals in the series. Meanwhile, Steve Kerr won his fourth title as Warriors head coach and his ninth overall after winning five championships during his playing career as a member of the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.

"Steph reminds me so much of Tim Duncan. Obviously totally different players, but from a humanity standpoint, from a talent standpoint, humility, confidence, it's a wonderful combination that makes everyone want to win for him," Kerr said postgame. "Without him, none of this happens. To me, this is his crowning achievement."

Golden State's title completes an incredible two-year turnaround for the franchise after finishing the 2019-20 season with the NBA's worst record. The Warriors then lost in the Western Conference play-in tournament in 2020-21. The journey has been a particularly meaningful one for Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who missed two full campaigns because of a torn ACL and torn Achilles before returning in January.

Draymond Green played a tremendous game with 12 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks while knocking down a pair of 3-pointers in 42 minutes.

Andrew Wiggins was once again brilliant for Golden State with one of his most complete two-way performances in the Finals. The Canadian flirted with a 5x5 game with 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks. Wiggins also played a pivotal role in limiting Celtics star Jayson Tatum to 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting.

"It's hard getting to this point and it's even harder getting over the hump and winning it," Tatum said after the loss.

"Just knowing how bad we wanted it and coming up short. It's a terrible feeling," he added, courtesy of The Athletic's Jay King.

The Warriors dominated to close the first half with a 52-25 run after beginning the game down 14-2. Golden State shot an identical 41.3% on field goals and 3-pointers and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.

Warriors reserve Gary Payton II and Hall of Famer Gary Payton became the fifth father-son duo in league history to each win a championship during their playing careers, according to SB Nation.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 34 points on 12-of-23 shooting in the loss. The Celtics committed 22 turnovers, a high for the team this series. The defeat also marked the Celtics' first three-game losing streak since December 2021.

"Offensively, we were not good this series. Give credit to the Warriors," Brown said, according to King. "They forced us into doing stuff we didn't want to do."

Golden State's defense carried the way in the Finals, limiting Boston to less than 100 points in four of six games.