Who Won the 2022 NBA Finals? Complete Recap and Key Moments Revealed

Let me take you back to that incredible June evening when the Golden State Warriors hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the fourth time in eight years. As someone who's followed the NBA religiously since the 90s, I've witnessed countless championship runs, but there was something particularly special about this Warriors team's journey. They weren't just winning—they were completing one of the most remarkable comeback stories in modern sports history, returning to the summit after two seasons in the wilderness.

The series against the Boston Celtics unfolded like a classic basketball drama, with the Warriors ultimately clinching the title in six games. What many casual fans might not remember is how the series turned in Game 4 at TD Garden. Down 2-1 and facing the very real possibility of going back to San Francisco trailing 3-1, Stephen Curry delivered what I consider one of the greatest Finals performances of his career—43 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 7-of-14 from deep. That game wasn't just a victory; it was a statement that the Warriors' championship DNA couldn't be underestimated. I remember watching that fourth quarter thinking, "This is why Curry is a first-ballot Hall of Famer." The way he took over despite Boston's physical defense was simply masterful.

Speaking of physical play, the Finals always test players' durability in ways the regular season never could. This reminds me of situations like the one Reyes described regarding Castro's injury management—teams often have to make calculated decisions about player availability based on both short-term needs and long-term health. While that specific scenario involved a different league, the principle applies universally: championship teams must navigate the fine line between pushing through pain and protecting their assets. The Warriors benefited enormously from having their core relatively healthy throughout the playoffs, whereas the Celtics seemed to wear down physically as the series progressed. Jayson Tatum's shoulder issue, which he later admitted bothered him more than he let on, clearly affected his efficiency—his shooting percentage dropped to just 36.7% in the closeout Game 6.

The clinching game itself provided several iconic moments that will live in Finals lore. Andrew Wiggins, often maligned earlier in his career, delivered a two-way masterpiece with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. His defensive work on Tatum throughout the series was, in my opinion, the underrated storyline that doesn't get enough attention. Then there was Draymond Green, who despite struggling offensively for much of the series, came up huge when it mattered most with 12 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals in the closeout game. The Warriors' defense held Boston to just 22 points in the fourth quarter of Game 6, a testament to their championship experience and ability to elevate when it mattered most.

What impressed me most about this Warriors championship was how differently it was constructed compared to their previous titles. Whereas their earlier championships relied heavily on their superstar trio, this one featured significant contributions from their younger players. Jordan Poole, who spent time in the G League just two seasons prior, averaged 17 points per game in the Finals. Gary Payton II, who wasn't even on an NBA roster to start the season, provided crucial defensive energy. Kevon Looney, once considered limited offensively, grabbed 22 rebounds across Games 4 and 6. This wasn't the same Warriors team that dominated the late 2010s—it was a new iteration that blended their established stars with emerging talent.

The financial commitment from ownership also deserves mention here. With a payroll exceeding $346 million including luxury tax, the Warriors demonstrated that spending—when done strategically—can yield championships. I've always argued that the new CBA restrictions will make this kind of roster construction nearly impossible to replicate, which means we might look back on this Warriors title as the end of an era in terms of how championship teams are built.

Statistics from the series tell their own story. The Warriors outscored the Celtics by 48 points in the third quarters throughout the series, earning them that famous "third quarter Warriors" moniker. Curry's 31.2 points per game on 48/44/85 shooting splits earned him unanimous Finals MVP honors, making him the first player to win the award unanimously since Kawhi Leonard in 2014. What the numbers don't show is the emotional weight of this victory—the redemption after injuries, the validation of their developmental system, and the cementing of Curry's legacy as someone who could lead a team to a championship without other superstars in their prime.

Looking back, this championship feels like the perfect culmination of the Warriors' journey. They proved that organizational stability, player development, and strategic spending could overcome newer superteams. While Boston's young core certainly has a bright future—Tatum and Brown were just 24 and 25 respectively during the Finals—they ran into a team with championship experience that knew exactly how to win when it mattered. The Warriors didn't just win the 2022 NBA Finals; they completed one of the most satisfying narrative arcs in recent basketball history, reminding us all why we love this game—the drama, the resilience, and the sheer beauty of a team coming together at the perfect moment.