Celtics’ fourth-quarter comeback was unlike any in NBA Finals history — in two ways
Well, that was a fun start to the NBA Finals.
Golden State erased a four-point deficit with a big third quarter Thursday and led the Celtics by 12 points heading into the final period of Game 1.
Fans couldn’t be blamed for thinking the Warriors, who were playing at home, were sitting pretty. Those fans also couldn’t be blamed for being amazed by what happened next.
Boston outscored the Warriors 40-16 in the fourth quarter and won 120-108.
“Those guys, give them credit,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters, per the Boston Globe. “They knocked down every big shot in the fourth quarter. Boston just played a brilliant quarter. They came in and earned the win.”
The Celtics made history with the win.
ESPN Stats & Info said this was the first time in NBA history a team won a Finals game by double digits after trailing by double digits entering the fourth quarter. ESPN also noted the Celtics had just a 4% chance of winning at one point.
The Globe’s Alex Speier reported the Celtics’ 24-point margin made it the most lopsided fourth quarter in NBA Finals history. The previous record of 23 was held by the 76ers in 1983 (vs. Los Angeles Lakers) and Celtics in 1960 (vs. St. Louis Hawks).
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 8:47 AM.
