Who Won the NBA Championship in 2017? Full Recap

By Sarah Miller · February 8, 2053

The Golden State Warriors won the NBA basketball championship in 2017, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games (4-1) in the NBA Finals. Led by Kevin Durant, who was named Finals MVP, the Warriors secured their second title in three years.

Overview of the 2017 NBA Championship

The 2017 NBA Finals marked a pivotal moment in modern basketball history. The Golden State Warriors claimed the championship by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 in the best-of-seven series. This victory solidified the Warriors as a dominant force in the league and highlighted the impact of Kevin Durant's arrival from the Oklahoma City Thunder during the offseason.

Key Highlights of the 2017 NBA Finals

The series concluded with a 4-1 win for the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant averaged 35.2 points per game in the final three games, earning him the Finals MVP award.
The Warriors set a record for most wins in a single postseason (16-1), losing only one game to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala formed the core of the starting lineup, complemented by Durant’s scoring prowess.
The championship victory took place at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, in Game 5 on June 12, 2017.

Team Performance Breakdown

Both teams entered the Finals with strong rosters and recent history. The Cavaliers were seeking revenge after losing the 2016 NBA Finals in seven games, while the Warriors aimed to redeem their loss and cement their legacy.

Statistic	Golden State Warriors	Cleveland Cavaliers
Points Per Game	118.3	109.0
Field Goal Percentage	48.6%	43.2%
Three-Pointers Made Per Game	15.6	10.8
Assists Per Game	25.8	19.4
Rebounds Per Game	41.2	43.6
Turnovers Per Game	12.4	14.0

Table data source:NBA Official Stats, Basketball Reference

The Warriors outperformed the Cavaliers in scoring efficiency and ball movement, particularly from beyond the arc. Their ability to shoot at an elite level and share the ball contributed significantly to their dominance. While Cleveland held a slight edge in rebounding, they struggled to contain Golden State’s offensive firepower and transition play.

Key Players and Impact

Golden State Warriors Standouts

Kevin Durant: Averaged 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the series. His scoring versatility and clutch performances earned him Finals MVP.
Stephen Curry: Contributed 26.8 points and 8.0 assists per game, orchestrating the offense with precision.
Klay Thompson: Provided critical perimeter shooting, averaging 18.3 points per game.
Draymond Green: Played a crucial defensive and facilitation role, averaging 11.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists.

Cleveland Cavaliers Key Contributors

LeBron James: Averaged 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists—becoming the first player to average a triple-double in the Finals. Despite his historic performance, he lacked sufficient support.
Kyrie Irving: Averaged 29.4 points but missed key defensive assignments.
Kevin Love: Struggled offensively, averaging 8.5 points on low shooting efficiency.

Path to the 2017 NBA Finals

The Warriors dominated the Western Conference playoffs, sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs (before the injury to Kawhi Leonard). They lost only one game throughout the entire postseason run.

The Cavaliers swept the Indiana Pacers, defeated the Toronto Raptors in five games, and overcame the Boston Celtics in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals, despite playing without Kyrie Irving in Game 5 due to injury.