OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after being named Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5 to win the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo: Getty)
The Golden State Warriors raced to their second national title in three years on Monday night with a 129-120 home victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant — who signed with the Dubs last summer in free agency — was named Finals MVP after finishing with 39 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 14-of-20 shooting in 40 minutes. The former Oklahoma City Thunder forward averaged 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists in the Finals, with a 55.6 field goal percentage.
“It feels amazing to win a championship with these guys,” Durant said. “I can’t wait to celebrate for the rest of the night — well, maybe the rest of the summer.”
The 2007 second overall pick is the third player to win four NBA scoring titles and an NBA title, joining Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.
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Durant, 28, is also only the third star since 1969 to win Finals MVP in his first season with a team. Moses Malone earned the honors with the 76ers in 1983, and Magic Johnson did it in his rookie season with the Lakers in 1980.
James finished off his postseason strong with 41 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, while Kyrie Irving added 26 points on 9-of-22 shooting and J.R. Smith contributed 25. Irving finished with 40 points in Friday’s Game 4 loss, Golden State’s only defeat in the playoffs, which they finished 16-1.
The King and Durant hugged it out on the floor at Oracle Arena after the game, as gold confetti rained all around. Durant also embraced his mother Wanda and Curry, who held his own child in his arms, beaming. Durant then hoisted his shiny MVP trophy high for the entire arena to see.
‘I’m happy for him,” Curry said. ”You’ve got to call Kevin Durant a champ now.”
Durant sat out 19 games late in the regular season due to a left knee injury.
Draymond Green — who missed the last game of the 2016 finals after being suspended due to a flagrant foul he drew after hitting James’ groin in Game 4 — ended Monday night with ten points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
”I had a letdown last year,” said Green, who has garnered a reputation in the NBA as a dirty player whose kick-and-flops have injured opponents in rather sensitive body parts. ”If KD was the consolation prize to lose, thanks for that loss, and we’re champs this year.”
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after being named Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5 to win the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California.
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