THE GOLDEN STATE Warriors stayed alive in the NBA Finals after edging the Toronto Raptors 106-105 in Game 5.
Despite losing Kevin Durant to injury in the second quarter, the Warriors stopped the Raptors from claiming their first championship on Monday.
Kyle Lowry was one shot away from sealing a 4-1 series victory and a maiden title for the Raptors, however, he failed to sink a last-gasp three-pointer.
Instead, the Warriors return to Oracle Arena on Thursday only trailing 3-2 in their bid for a three-peat.
The top storyline entering the night was the comeback of Durant, who returned from a calf strain for his first appearance in 32 days.
Durant started off hot, scoring 11 points in his first 12 minutes on three-of-five shooting. But he appeared to re-aggravate his injury early in the second quarter.
He was assisted off the court and did not return in the contest – leaving Scotiabank Arena on crutches.
Drake consoled Kevin Durant as he walked off in the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/05ZpHdL49l
— ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2019
Kawhi Leonard ended up stealing the show, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds. His personal 10-0 run in the fourth quarter was crucial for the Raptors down the stretch.
Five other Raptors were double-digit scorers, but it was not enough to stop the two-time defending champions.
Stephen Curry led all scorers with 31 points on five successful three-pointers.
He was trailed by Klay Thompson’s 26 points and seven three-pointers, while Draymond Green flirted with a triple-double once again.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Great athlete and always was a great athlete round ball oval ball makes no different to her.
Keep her happy or she will walk out on here team like she did in Mayo
@DavidCarolan16: how selfish she was. She only gave 20 odd years unpaid to Mayo and numerous all Irelands before eventually walking out on Mayo in her late thirties. Very very selfish.
@DavidCarolan16: when a Cork hurler strikes, its Frank Murphy’s fault. When Limerick hurlers, who’d never won anything despite the support of one of Ireland’s richest men, strike, its their manager’s fault. But when the greatest footballer in the history of women’s sport in Ireland (along with a host of teammates) complains about the conditions, all her accomplishments are forgotten.
@Armchair Follower: she walked out because she was dropped that was the reason
@Kevin O Sullivan: because she was dropped yeah and all intercounty players are not paid .
@DavidCarolan16: she was dropped because she had the temerity to ask for better conditions for her team