After a wildly entertaining NBA season, we have finally arrived at the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors hope to capture their fourth championship since 2015, while the Boston Celtics look to secure their first title since 2008.
1 Related
Prior to Game 1, this Celtics squad was new to the Finals, as no one on the Boston roster had played in an NBA Championship game. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Golden State’s 123 games of Finals experience to Boston’s zero games was the largest gap since the Chicago Bulls (134) vs. the Utah Jazz (0) in 1997.
Read More: Why Celtics-Warriors could be an epic series
Given that this is the Finals, Chase Center is rocking for the series opener — including celebrities showing up to take in the action and players donning exceptional pregame fits.
Here’s a look at some of the best sights and sounds from Game 1 in San Francisco:
Klay makes history
It’s a sign of how dangerous the Warriors are from beyond the arc that Klay Thompson passed LeBron James for second on the all-time playoff 3-pointer list in the second quarter … and No. 1 is his teammate Steph Curry.
Jay-Z takes in the action
Musician, Roc Nation Sports founder and noted Brooklyn Nets fan Jay-Z pulled up to the Chase Center for Game 1.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Chef Curry cooks
Stephen Curry‘s campaign for a Finals MVP trophy got off to a strong start in the first quarter. His six 3-pointers in the first frame are a Finals record for the most in a quarter.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson couldn’t help but marvel at Curry’s impressive feat.
Ja Morant was also among the stars to note his hot start.
Spike’s in the house
Famed director Spike Lee can usually be spotted courtside at New York Knicks games, but tonight he’s at the Chase Center for Game 1.
Eye-catching outfits
Before the game tipped off, the fashion choices by a few players certainly turned some heads. Take Jayson Tatum for example, as he rocked a multi-patterned suit jacket on the pregame runway. His teammate Jaylen Brown donned a leather coat with some graphic jeans.
Food and drinks
The Warriors went all-out for refreshments at the Chase Center for Game 1. Fans could get chicken waffle cones, souvenir cups for beer or other drinks, Moet & Chandon champagne, black sturgeon caviar and a stone-fruit old fashioned cocktail. There were oyster bars and popcorn bars in some boxes.
Warriors/Chase CenterWarriors/Chase CenterWarriors/Chase Center
Setting the scene
Both squads chose to roll with gold in the series opener.
Boston used the color in complementary fashion by adding a Finals emblem on its jerseys. Meanwhile, Golden State stayed true to its “Gold Blooded” postseason theme with T-shirts.
