Eighteen years ago today, the Golden State Warriors etched their names into NBA history with a stunning 111-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. The win secured a 4-2 series triumph, making the Warriors the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in a best-of-seven playoff format.
The Mavericks entered the 2007 NBA Playoffs as the league’s best team, boasting a 67-15 record and led by MVP Dirk Nowitzki. They were heavy favorites against the Warriors, who had barely clinched the eighth seed with a 42-40 record. However, Golden State had one key advantage—they had dominated Dallas in the regular season, winning all three matchups.
In Game 6, the Warriors delivered a masterclass in energy and execution. Baron Davis led the charge with 20 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Stephen Jackson erupted for 33 points, hitting seven three-pointers. The Warriors’ suffocating defense held Nowitzki to just 8 points on 2-of-13 shooting, sealing the Mavericks’ fate.
The Warriors’ improbable run was fueled by the “We Believe” mantra, a rallying cry embraced by fans and players alike. Oracle Arena was electric throughout the series, with Warriors supporters creating one of the most memorable atmospheres in playoff history.
The upset marked Golden State’s first playoff series win since 1991, and though they fell to the Utah Jazz in the second round, their victory over Dallas remains one of the greatest underdog stories in NBA history.
The 2007 Warriors paved the way for future upsets and proved that seeding doesn’t always dictate success. Their fearless style of play—fast-paced, three-point-heavy, and defensively aggressive—foreshadowed the modern NBA era that Golden State would later dominate with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
