It took a significant amount of effort down the stretch, but the Golden State Warriors finished Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in five games. The reigning MVP gave them a run down the street of Game 5, but Steph Curry’s brilliance, alongside the unexpected contributions from Gary Payton II, was enough to secure the win.
The Warriors will now await the outcome of Memphis vs. Minnesota to find out who their next opponent will be.
Gary Payton II, as previously said, was key for Golden State down the line, sinking clutch jumpers in the fourth quarter. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers tweeted after his final three:
Gary Payton Sr. was in the building for his son’s huge game, and he had to be overjoyed to see him contribute so well down the stretch. The Warriors were on the verge of not bringing him on board because it came down to a choice between Payton and Avery Bradley. The team finally chose GP2, which shows to be the correct choice.
The Warriors will benefit from additional rest after wrapping up their series in five games, whereas the Timberwolves and Grizzlies will play at least six games. In the Western Conference Semi-Finals, the victor of that series will face Golden State.