The Golden State Warriors looked rusty in the first half, but caught fire in the second half and held on late for a thrilling 113-111 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Stephen Curry scored 40 points - including 19 in the game-changing third quarter - and drained multiple big shots down the stretch as the Warriors pulled off the epic comeback.
San Antonio flew out of the gates and opened the game on fire, as a 28-5 run gave them a 25-point lead in the second quarter and paved the way for their 62-42 halftime lead.
LaMarcus Aldridge put Draymond on a POSTER to beat the 1st quarter buzzer! #GoSpursGo #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/LGFS75sN4l
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 14, 2017
Kawhi flies through the lane to throw down a monster jam! #GoSpursGo #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/H5FMTvLfLP
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 14, 2017
The Spurs continued to dominate early in the third quarter, but everything changed when Leonard re-aggravated the sprained ankle he suffered last series against the Rockets.
Likely to be plenty of postgame chatter about Zaza sliding under Kawhi, especially if Warriors win pic.twitter.com/ygSdG01UAq
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 14, 2017
Leonard had to leave the game following the injury and never returned. Apparently, that was all Golden State needed. Led by Curry, the Warriors immediately went on an 18-0 run in Leonard's absence to put themselves back in the game.
#StephGonnaSteph #DubNation #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vPziNZHodv
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 14, 2017
KD rises up and drops the HAMMER! #DubNation #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/osB700a7mI
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 14, 2017
Despite that huge run, Golden State did not take the lead until there were four minutes remaining in the game. San Antonio re-took the lead, but Curry tied it up again with less than two minutes to play.
If at first you don't succeed ... pic.twitter.com/Hd9Kx2UrBo
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) May 14, 2017
That started an 8-0 run for the Warriors, and Curry put the game on ice with this shot with just seconds remaining.
Curry's clutch jumper seals Game 1 for the @warriors.
— NBA (@NBA) May 14, 2017
He drops 40 PTS in the win. KD adds 34 PTS in the comeback.
LA: 28 PTS / 8 REB. pic.twitter.com/43IdftEfcW
Curry finished with seven rebounds and three steals to go along with his 40 points, while Kevin Durant added 34 points. However, Zaza Pachulia was the only other player in double figures (11 points).
Leonard was the best player on the court before leaving with the injury, and he finished with 26 points and eight rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge also had a big game with 28 points and eight rebounds, while Manu Ginobili scored 17 and Jonathon Simmons had 12 off the bench.
Game 2 is Tuesday at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN following the NBA Draft Lottery.
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