How a 15-0 postseason run redefined NBA dominance
In short: In 2017, the Golden State Warriors achieved something unprecedented. Entering the Finals with a perfect 12–0 record, they did not just win a championship; they established a standard of perfection that remains unmatched, eventually setting a historic record for the most consecutive postseason wins in professional basketball history.
The 201<0xC2>7 NBA Finals featured a historic rematch between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors, having bolstered their roster with free agent Kevin Durant, entered the series as a formidable 'Superteam.' Their path to the championship was statistically staggering: they were the first team in NBA history to start a postseason 12–0, sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs before even reaching the Finals.
The series, which ran from June 1 to June 12, saw the Warriors extend their winning streak to 15 consecutive postseason games—the longest in league history. While the Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, managed to avoid a sweep by winning Game 5 with a massive 137–116 victory, they could not overcome the Warriors' efficiency. Golden State ultimately won the series four games to one, finishing the playoffs with a 16–1 record and a .941 winning percentage, the best in NBA playoff history.
Individual performances were equally historic. With averages of 8.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 35.2 points, Kevin Durant earned every Finals MVP vote. Meanwhile, LeBron James became the first player to average a triple-double across an entire NBA Finals series, even as his team struggled with turnovers and defensive lapses. The series was marked by high-scoring volatility and intense physicality, including a Game 4 filled with technical fouls and even a court invasion by a fan, cementing its place as one of the most dominant displays of talent in basketball history.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2017 NBA Finals
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