Celtics blow by Warriors in fourth quarter, take 1-0 lead in NBA Finals
The Boston Celtics went on a stunning surge in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals, outscoring the Golden State Warriors 40-16 in the final 12 minutes to take a 1-0 series lead in spectacular fashion. Al Horford led the Celtics with 26 points, including 11 in the final 5:10 of the game.
For a while, it looked as though a superlative effort by Stephen Curry would be enough for the Warriors. Curry dominated the first quarter, scoring 21 of his 34 points, including 6-of-8 shooting from three-point range. Curry added three rebounds and two assists and was the only player on either team to play all 12 minutes. He scored as many points as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the rest of the Warriors combined.
Despite that early heater, Curry ended up scoring zero points in the second quarter, which helped allow the Celtics to claw their way back to the lead. The Warriors went up 47-37 midway through the second, then the C’s closed the first half with a 19-7 run to take a 56-54 lead to halftime. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 12 first-half points, and also made a big play at the defensive end with a block on a Kevon Looney layup attempt.
Both teams racked up the threes in the first half, resulting in a new NBA Finals record for a single half, with 20 combined. The teams ended up combining for 40 three-pointers.
The Warriors found a way to surge back ahead and take their biggest lead of the game in the third quarter, when they went up by as many as 14 points while outscoring the Celtics 38-24. Curry came alive again for nine more points, while Andrew Wiggins scored 12 of his 20. Golden State took a 92-80 lead into the fourth, setting the stage for the Celtics’ furious comeback.
Jun 2, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) high fives guard Jaylen Brown (7) after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of game one of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
According to Micah Adams of The Sporting News, the Celtics’ 40-16 advantage in the fourth quarter was the most lopsided final frame in NBA Finals history.
Tatum scored just 12 points on 3-of-17 (17.6 percent) from the field in the game. Golden State’s tight, physical defensive attention forced mostly contested shots and, ultimately, deteriorating shot selection and accuracy.
Brown and point guard Derrick White picked up the slack offensively. Brown finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. White scored 21, including an efficient 5-of-8 from three.
The series now gets a two-day breather, with Game 2 coming Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center.
PHOTOS: Celtics battle Warriors in Game 1 of 2022 NBA Finals
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at [email protected].
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