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After an extremely entertaining NBA season, we’ve finally arrived at the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors are hoping to win their fourth championship since 2015 while the Boston Celtics are looking to secure their first title since 2008.
Prior to Game 1, this Celtics roster was new to the Finals as none of the Boston roster had played in an NBA championship game. According to research by ESPN Stats & Information, Golden State’s 123 finals game experience over Boston’s zero games was the widest margin since the Chicago Bulls (134) vs. the Utah Jazz (0) in 1997.
Read more: Why Celtics-Warriors could become an epic series
Given that this is the finale, the Chase Center is rocking for the series opener – including celebrities showing up to catch the action and players sporting out-of-the-ordinary pregame fits.
Here’s a look at some of the best sights and sounds of Game 1 in San Francisco:
Cs late rise
After trailing 12 points early in the fourth quarter, Boston embarked on a run largely driven by Derrick White and Al Horford to take the lead.
Kevin Durant, Alex Caruso and Jamal Crawford all praised the Celtics’ clutch efforts.
Basketball at a high level, gentlemen
β Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 3, 2022
Boston has heart
β Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) June 3, 2022
What a game!
β π Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) June 3, 2022
Clay writes history
It’s a sign of just how dangerous the Warriors are from across the arc that in the second quarter, Klay Thompson passed LeBron James for second on the all-time playoff 3-point list…and the No. 1 is his teammate Steph Curry.
SPLASH ROYALTY.@KlayThompson surpassed LeBron James for the second most career playoff three-pointers in NBA history βοΈ pic.twitter.com/x06DfeAa5Z
β Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 3, 2022
Jay-Z takes over the action
Musician, Roc Nation Sports founder and well-known Brooklyn Nets fan Jay-Z came 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 is a finals record for most in a quarter.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson couldn’t help but marvel at Curry’s impressive performance.
Magic had to stop the convo to respond to Steph’s three π pic.twitter.com/oT41J7MjdG
β NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 3, 2022
Ja Morant was also among the stars to note his hot start.
steph locked
β Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 3, 2022
Welp Wardell is here
β Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) June 3, 2022
Don’t go down on Wardell
β Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 3, 2022
Spike’s in the house
Famed director Spike Lee is usually seen courtside at New York Knicks games, but tonight he’s at the Chase Center for Game 1.
It’s always a mood when @Spike_Lee_Joint is in the house π #NBAfinal pic.twitter.com/pUUOxQu5tt
β ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2022
Striking outfits
Before the game tipped over, some players’ fashion choices caused a stir. Take Jayson Tatum, for example, as he rocked a patterned suit jacket on the pregame runway. His teammate Jaylen Brown donned a leather coat with graphic jeans.
Dressed to impress π₯ pic.twitter.com/dens4ReoON
β Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
to eat and drink
The Warriors went all out for refreshments at the Chase Center for Game 1. Fans could get chicken waffles, souvenir mugs for beer or other beverages, Moet & Chandon champagne, black sturgeon caviar, and an old-fashioned stone fruit cocktail. In some boxes were oyster bars and popcorn bars.
Set the stage
Both teams have opted to roll with gold in the series opener.
Boston used the color in a complementary way, adding a Finals emblem to its jerseys. Meanwhile, Golden State stayed true to its postseason theme, Gold Blooded, with t-shirts.
Adding a touch of gold pic.twitter.com/wnWq5iCqPX
β Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
final ready pic.twitter.com/J5om811Cnx
β Chase Center (@ChaseCenter) June 2, 2022