The streak is over.
After a season filled with drama, injuries and so much more, the 2018-19 season has finally come to an end for the Golden State Warriors, and not in the way many expected.
Trailing 3-2 in the series entering Thursday night’s Game 6, the Warriors needed to win not only this game, but the next matchup as well.
The Raptors, behind Kawhi Leonard and a strong supporting cast, took away Golden State’s opportunity to achieve the vaunted three-peat and brought to Canada the first major U.S. sports title (NBA, NFL or MLB) since 1993.
For Golden State, this series was marred by injury. Kevon Looney, Klay Thompson and, especially, Kevin Durant gave it their all by playing through significant injuries — with Thompson and Durant unable to finish the series.
Game 6 was a battle for the ages, with both teams trading blow after blow. The Warriors saw their chances of extending the series to Game 7 slowly fade away when Klay Thompson exited the contest with a knee injury.
For the Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Fred Van Vleet and Kyle Lowry embraced the clutch factor that had been present all series, scoring 22, 22 and 26 points, respectively. Lowry chipped in seven rebounds and ten assists and Pascal Siakam produced a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
The Warriors were not able to finish their time at Oracle Arena victorious. But they put their mind, body and soul on the line trying to do so, and the fans showed their appreciation even after the final whistle sounded.
Congratulations to both teams for playing such an amazing series and giving fans around the world insight into how the game of basketball truly should be played.
