Six years ago today, on May 20, 2019, the Golden State Warriors cemented their place in NBA history with a Game 4 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, completing a Western Conference Finals sweep and securing their fifth consecutive NBA Finals appearance. In doing so, they joined the 1960s Boston Celtics as the only teams in league history to reach five or more consecutive Finals.
For decades, the Boston Celtics’ dynasty from 1957-67 stood alone atop this category, reaching an astonishing 10 straight NBA Finals during the Bill Russell era—a record unlikely to be broken. The Warriors became the first team in more than 50 years to even approach such sustained dominance, reinforcing their reputation as one of the greatest dynasties of the modern era.
Despite entering the series without Kevin Durant, who suffered a calf injury in the second round, Golden State displayed resilience and championship pedigree, relying on their original Splash Brothers duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to carry the offensive load.
- Game 1: Warriors won 116-94, led by Curry’s 36 points.
- Game 2: Warriors edged out a 114-111 victory after a second-half comeback.
- Game 3: A dominant 110-99 win showcased Draymond Green’s all-around brilliance.
- Game 4: Golden State completed the sweep with a 119-117 overtime victory, clinching their fifth straight Finals berth.
Curry averaged a stunning 36.5 points per game in the series, proving once again why he was the heart of Golden State’s dynasty.
Unlike past dynasties, the Warriors built their foundation on unselfish play, elite shooting, and defensive versatility. Their five consecutive Finals appearances (2015-2019) showcased different challenges along the way—from breaking the 73-win record in 2016 to acquiring Kevin Durant for back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.
Their adaptability was evident in 2019, when injuries threatened their dominance but they remained resilient, defeating Portland with teamwork and veteran leadership.
While the Warriors’ five straight Finals are remarkable, the Celtics’ 10 consecutive appearances remain the gold standard. However, Golden State’s dominance occurred during an era of free agency and greater parity, making their consistency even more impressive.
Though the Warriors ultimately fell to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Finals, their five-year stretch redefined modern basketball, proving that selfless play and shooting excellence could sustain a dynasty.
Golden State’s feat remains one of the most dominant runs in modern NBA history, placing them in the same conversation as the Celtics of the 1960s, the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s, and Michael Jordan’s Bulls of the 1990s.
