For the first time since 1991, the Warriors and the Lakers will battle it out in the playoffs, which means Steph Curry v LeBron James.
Warriors fans were holding their breath after a terrible Game 6 performance but in Game 7, Curry made history.
He became the first-ever NBA player to score 50 points in a Game 7 playoffs match and now we look ahead to the second round, where two of the greatest to ever do it will face off.
“It’s amazing because you’re still in the fight,” Curry said. “It’s better than the alternative, on the outside looking in. Having been down 0-2 in this series – nothing’s guaranteed, you don’t take anything for granted and it is special to know from the first series we played him [LeBron] in Cleveland 14-15 season to now, we’re blessed to be playing at this level still. Excited about a new chapter.”
Curry mentioned the last time he played LeBron in the playoffs was in the 2015 season and what a memorable Finals series that was.
Curry averaged 26 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds to James’ 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists in six games.
It marked the beginning of the Warriors core of Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala winning four championships (2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022).
Since then, both have made the history books for a plethora of achievements, most notably LeBron with the all-time scoring record and Curry the all-time leader in made three-pointers during regular season.
As for Thompson, he grew up in Southern California and his dad, Mychal Thompson played for the Lakers, so he says it’s: “just a dream come true. I’ve looked forward to this for 12 years.
“We played LeBron in the Finals four times,” Thompson said. “[He is] obviously one of the greatest to ever play.
“We’re all excited to play the Lakers. It’s a legendary franchise, and, Warriors-Lakers, it’s been a long time since they have seen each other in the playoffs.”
The last time the two storied franchises met in the playoffs, Thompson’s dad was still playing for the purple and gold.
It was 1991 and the Lakers won 4-1, while Thompson was watching on as a one-year-old.
Game 1 of the second round playoffs series between the Lakers and the Warriors will take place on Tuesday, May 2 at 7:00PM PDT.