Zachary Engberg
2 min read • June 03, 2022
Posted in
The Celtics engineered a shocking Game 1 win over the Warriors behind a dominant fourth quarter.
Many of the key contributors on both sides were returning from or managing injuries.
Robert Williams III returned to the starting lineup and created a blockade in front of the rim.
Williams III played 24 minutes, an expectedly limited amount, scoring eight points on 4-4 shooting with six rebounds and four blocks.
He appeared refreshed after the three days off and will get another two days of rest before Sunday's Game 2.
Marcus Smart kept the Celtics close during Stephen Curry's electric first quarter and delivered the finishing blows in the fourth.
Despite ceding major fourth quarter minutes to the hot-shooting Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, Smart finished with 18 points on 7-11 shooting and appeared mobile on the sprained right ankle, right foot, and injured thighs.
Jayson Tatum shot an abysmal 3-17 from the field as the Warriors zeroed in on him, but was still able to post a plus-16 behind 13 assists and solid perimeter defense.
The Warriors surprised many by announcing ahead of Game 1 that all of Gary Payton II, Andre Iguodala, and Otto Porter Jr. would be available.
Payton II was a DNP-coach's decision, a somewhat surprising decision that may change as Jordan Poole was exploited on the defensive end. Payton II had been inserted in the starting lineup before his fractured elbow.
Porter Jr. was one of the few Golden State players to consistently hit shots, scoring 12 points on 4-5 shooting – all from three – in 24 minutes. He looks to be past his repeated foot issues and help assuage concerns of a potential re-break of his left foot.
Iguodala, playing for the first time in over a month, scored seven points in 12 minutes split into two six-minute spurts. It remains to be seen if this is to help ease him back into game shape or if that all that the 38-year-old has left in the tank in what will likely be his final games.
Written by Zachary Engberg
