The past five years were the golden days of the Golden State Warriors. They won three titles through five appearances in the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019. But it hasn't always been rainbows and butterflies for the Bay Area squad. In fact, throughout its history, Golden State mostly featured perennial lottery bound squads, with some playoff sprinkles and the occasional championship along the way. However, overall, it didn't match-up to the rich history that your Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, or San Antonio Spurs have.
Bay Area fans may have enjoyed the past half-decade. However, throughout its history, they also experienced some of the most painful moments any sports fan can ever imagine, including through this recent dominant five-year stretch they had. Here are some of the most heartbreaking moments in Golden State Warriors history.
Failing to go Back-to-Back in 1976
The Warriors won the championship in 1975 and had all intentions to win another one the following season. They finished the regular season with a 59-23 mark, the best record in the NBA. Golden State, led by Rick Barry, Jamal Wilkes, and head coach Al Attles, looked poised to win back-to-back titles.
The Warriors were able to get past the Detroit Pistons in the Western Conference semifinals. They eventually faced the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals. The Suns, led by Paul Westphal, only won 42 games that season and the Warriors were heavy favorites to make a return trip to the NBA Finals.
However, Phoenix surprisingly took the series to seven games and pulled off the upset in Game 7 to advance to the NBA Finals to face the Boston Celtics.
Budding contender in the 1990's Falls apart
The 1992-93 Golden State Warriors were a promising squad that could have turned into legitimate contenders had they stuck around. That team, which won 50 games, lost to the eventual Western Conference finalists Phoenix Suns in the first round. But with a solid core of Chris Mullin, Latrell Sprewell, Billy Owens, and No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year Chris Webber, there was certainly something brewing in the Bay Area at that time.
Likewise, they did that with All-Star guard Tim Hardaway on the sidelines for the entire season. So, adding Hardaway to that promising core certainly could have turned them up another level.
However, as it turned out, the team never turned into reality because of irreconcilable differences. Mainly, there was a rift growing between head coach Don Nelson and their two budding stars in Webber and Sprewell. The feud between Webber and Nelson was deemed irreconcilable, and the Warriors dealt their first overall pick in that same off-season.
In 1995, Nelson resigned from the team. They also traded Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin. Later on, Sprewell was involved in the infamous choking incident in 1997, which ultimately ended his tenure with the Warriors. All within the span of three years, the Warriors lost their core and the chance to build a contender. And from that point on, they found themselves as a perennial lottery team for the next decade.
Kevin Durant Tears his Achilles in Game 5
Some of the next ones came from their most recent stretch of dominance. This one is particularly fresh: Kevin Durant rupturing his Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 Finals.
The Warriors were down 3-1 to the Toronto Raptors and were on the brink of elimination. With a raucous Toronto squad smelling their first NBA championship, the two-time defending champs' backs were against the wall.
Durant had missed Golden State's previous six games due to a strained calf. Throughout his injury period, many speculated on whether Durant would eventually return to the floor for the Warriors. With Golden State in win-or-go-home mode, Durant made his triumphant return to the lineup in Game 5, hoping to help his team stave off elimination.
Durant had a promising start to Game 5, knocking down three triples in the first quarter. However, things took a turn for the worst after the two-time Finals MVP came up hobbling while attempting a drive to the basket. Durant fell to the floor and immediately clutched the back of his right foot. KD instantly called for a help. As he made his way back to the locker room, Durant looked up and shouted expletives for his unfortunate situation. Soon, the heartbreaking news came out: Kevin Durant has torn his Achilles.
With Toronto dominating the series so far, many saw Durant as Golden State's last hope to salvage their hopes for a three-peat. With the superstar forward done for the series and out for a very long time, their chances only grew slimmer. Nonetheless, the Warriors still wound up winning Game 5 after a miraculous stretch in the final minutes, despite Kawhi Leonard's fourth quarter onslaught.
Golden State still had a chance. Anything is possible with the proven trio of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson leading the way, right? Well, this leads us to the next one.
Klay Thompson Tears his ACL in Game 6
Moving into Game 6, the Warriors were hopeful that Curry, Thompson, and Green could still lead them to the promised land for the third year running. And yes, it was Game 6. You know what happens during these high-stakes games right â Game 6 Klay.
Game 6 Klay proved to be a real thing as the All-Star sniper came out guns a blazing in the opening period. Thompson continued his torrid shooting throughout the game, knocking down three-pointer after three-pointer and even pulled up from 30 feet on a fastbreak in the third quarter.
As the Warriors were getting their mojo, the unthinkable happened. Stephen Curry forwarded a pass to Thompson on the fastbreak. Thompson took it strong to the rack with Danny Green jumping to contest him. And as the 6-foot-7 guard landed, his leg planted awkwardly. The Warriors star immediately grabbed his knee and writhed in pain.
Curry was in disbelief. Warriors nation was gasping at the sight of another fallen hero. Thompson still managed to knock down his freethrows. But in the end, his absence led to Golden State falling short of their third straight title. Shortly after, the news came out that Thompson had torn his ACL. Another devastating blow for the Warriors and their future.
Warriors Dynasty No More
The Warriors lose the 2019 Finals. The next question is, what's next for this dominant squad? Golden State heads into free agency with so much uncertainty in the future. All of this, of course, hinges on Kevin Durant's impending free agency decision.
As it turned out, Durant opted to leave The Bay Area and signed with the Brooklyn Nets. In order to salvage Durant's departure, the Warriors offered D'Angelo Russell a max deal in a sign-and-trade. However, taking in Russell's contract meant they had to let go of veteran forward and former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. Golden State traded Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies. One of the most beloved players of the Warriors dynasty was gone.
Shaun Livingston, a key fixture from all three Warriors title teams, also soon announced his retirement. With Thompson out for the 2019-20 season, Iguodala in Memphis, Durant in Brooklyn, and Livingston opting to call it a career, only Stephen Curry and Draymond Green remained from their core.
The Golden State dynasty was over.
Losing the 2016 Finals
This is arguably the most heartbreaking moment in Warriors history. The 2015-16 Warriors were a historic group. Stephen Curry won league MVP for the second straight year. He turned in one of the greatest individual seasons in recent memory and this earned him the first unanimous MVP in NBA history.
The Warriors, meanwhile, won a record-setting 73 games, losing just nine through the entire regular season. Golden State had the prime opportunity to cement itself as the greatest team in NBA history by capping their campaign off with a second straight NBA championship.
Curry and the Warriors appeared to be well on their way to doing so, after going up 3-1 in a Finals rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Dubs had a chance to close out the series in Game 5 in Oakland. However, defensive leader Draymond Green was suspended for the game for his accumulation of technical fouls in the playoffs.
Without Green in Game 5, the Warriors struggled defensively and the Cavaliers extended the series with historic performances from Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, who both turned in 41 points apiece. Cleveland dominated Game 6 on their home floor, leading to a do-or-die Game 7 at The Bay.
Golden State, with their raucous crowd, was still favored to come out on top. However, with poor execution from the Warriors down the stretch and a couple of clutch plays from the Cavaliers, Cleveland won their first title in franchise history â breaking the hearts of every Warriors fan on that fateful night at Oracle Arena.
Dubs fans would still have nightmares from particular moments of that game. Kyrie Irving hitting the dagger three over Steph Curry. LeBron James' huge block on Andre Iguodala's fastbreak layup. Curry throwing a nonchalant behind-the-back pass to Klay Thompson that led to a costly turnover with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Steve Kerr putting in Festus Ezeli for a horrible stretch where LeBron James scored six points in succession on him.
All of those were heartbreaking moments. But none more heartbreaking than when the clock officially hit triple-zeros. Final score 93-89. Cavaliers win the series, 4-3.
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