After a wildly entertaining NBA season, we have finally arrived at the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors hope to capture their fourth championship since 2015, while the Boston Celtics look to secure their first title since 2008.
Prior to Game 1, this Celtics squad was new to the Finals, as no one on the Boston roster had played in an NBA Championship game. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Golden State’s 123 games of Finals experience to Boston’s zero games was the largest gap since the Chicago Bulls (134) vs. the Utah Jazz (0) in 1997.
Read More: Why Celtics-Warriors could be an epic series
Given that this is the Finals, Chase Center is rocking for the series opener — including celebrities showing up to take in the action and players donning exceptional pregame fits.
Here’s a look at some of the best sights and sounds from Game 1 in San Francisco:
C’s late surge
After trailing by 12 points to start the fourth quarter, Boston went on a run largely driven by Derrick White and Al Horford to take the lead.
Kevin Durant, Alex Caruso and Jamal Crawford commended the Celtics’ clutch effort.
High level of basketball being displayed gentlemen
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 3, 2022
Boston got heart
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) June 3, 2022
What a game!
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) June 3, 2022
Klay makes history
It’s a sign of how dangerous the Warriors are from beyond the arc that Klay Thompson passed LeBron James for second on the all-time playoff 3-pointer list in the second quarter … and No. 1 is his teammate Steph Curry.
SPLASH ROYALTY.@KlayThompson has passed LeBron James for second-most career playoff threes in NBA history ☔️ pic.twitter.com/x06DfeAa5Z
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 3, 2022
Jay-Z takes in the action
Musician, Roc Nation Sports founder and noted Brooklyn Nets fan Jay-Z pulled up to the Chase Center for Game 1.
Chef Curry cooks
Stephen Curry’s campaign for a Finals MVP trophy got off to a strong start in the first quarter. His six 3-pointers in the first frame are a Finals record for the most in a quarter.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson couldn’t help but marvel at Curry’s impressive feat.
Magic had to stop the convo to react to Steph’s three 😂 pic.twitter.com/oT41J7MjdG
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 3, 2022
Ja Morant was also among the stars to note his hot start.
steph locked
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 3, 2022
Welp Wardell is here
— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) June 3, 2022
Don’t go under on Wardell
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 3, 2022
Spike’s in the house
Famed director Spike Lee can usually be spotted courtside at New York Knicks games, but tonight he’s at the Chase Center for Game 1.
It’s always a vibe when @Spike_Lee_Joint is in the house 🏠 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/pUUOxQu5tt
— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2022
Eye-catching outfits
Before the game tipped off, the fashion choices by a few players certainly turned some heads. Take Jayson Tatum for example, as he rocked a multi-patterned suit jacket on the pregame runway. His teammate Jaylen Brown donned a leather coat with some graphic jeans.
Dressed to impress 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dens4ReoON
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
Food and drinks
The Warriors went all-out for refreshments at the Chase Center for Game 1. Fans could get chicken waffle cones, souvenir cups for beer or other drinks, Moet & Chandon champagne, black sturgeon caviar and a stone-fruit old fashioned cocktail. There were oyster bars and popcorn bars in some boxes.
Setting the scene
Both squads chose to roll with gold in the series opener.
Boston used the color in complementary fashion by adding a Finals emblem on its jerseys. Meanwhile, Golden State stayed true to its “Gold Blooded” postseason theme with T-shirts.
adding a hint of gold pic.twitter.com/wnWq5iCqPX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
Finals ready pic.twitter.com/J5om811Cnx
— Chase Center (@ChaseCenter) June 2, 2022
#Scenes #NBA #Finals #Game #Boston #notches #clutch #fourth #quarter