Warriors advance to NBA Finals after defeating Mavericks

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Golden State Warriors advanced to the 2022 NBA Finals with a 4-1 series win against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals on Friday.

The Warriors led 69-52 at the end of the first half but the Mavericks had a good start in the second quarter, building a 32-25 lead.

Golden State took a 10-point lead at the end of the third period 94-84 as they netted 25 points at the Chase Center.

Klay Thompson was the highest scorer of the game with 32 points in the 120-110 victory.

"It's hard to put into words really," Thompson said after the game. "This time last year, I was just starting to jog again and get up and down the court. Now to be feeling like myself, feeling explosive, feeling sure in my movements, I'm just grateful."

Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins made a double-double. Looney scored 10 points and 18 rebounds while Wiggins produced 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Slovenian star Luka Doncic played with 28 points and nine rebounds while Spencer Dinwiddie came off the bench to add 26 points for the losing side.

With this victory, Golden State joined the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers as the only NBA franchises to appear in six NBA Finals in an eight-year span.

The Warriors will host the winner of the Eastern Conference finals between the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat on June 2 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals

The Celtics hold a 3-2 lead heading into Game 6 at home.