OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors will forever be known as one of the most talented teams in the history of the N.B.A., along with a hefty set of other superlatives: most dominant, most dazzling, most adept at hitting shots from distant galaxies. But for all their astonishing skill, the Warriors were determined, too.
Determined to make amends for last season. Determined to escape the clutches of LeBron James. And determined to restore themselves as champions.
On Monday night, before an exultant crowd at Oracle Arena, where gold confetti fluttered from the ceiling at the final buzzer, the Warriors put the last dab of polish on a gilded season by surging to their second championship in three years with a 129-120 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the N.