Basketball is a game of short memories. Usually. But if you’ve spent any time in the Bay Area—or even just scrolling through NBA Twitter at 2 AM—you know the Dubs are the exception. Certain Golden State Warriors past games don't just sit in the record books. They feel like they happened yesterday.
I was thinking about that 2016 Western Conference Finals recently. You know the one. Game 6 in OKC. Klay Thompson basically turned into a mythological creature that night. Honestly, it was terrifying to watch if you were a Thunder fan, but for the rest of us, it was pure, unadulterated chaos. That’s the thing about this franchise. They don’t just win or lose; they create these weird, seismic shifts in how the sport is played.
The Night Klay Thompson Broke the Thunder (and the Internet)
If we are talking about high-stakes Golden State Warriors past games, May 28, 2016, is the holy grail. The Warriors were down 3-2 in the series. They were on the road in Loud City. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were at the peak of their powers, looking like they were finally going to end the 73-win dream.
Then Klay happened.
He didn't just have a good game. He hit 11 three-pointers, which was a playoff record at the time. He finished with 41 points. But the stats don't tell you how it felt. Every time the Warriors looked dead, Klay would catch the ball three feet behind the line, barely look at the rim, and just... flick. Splash.
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Steve Kerr’s face on the sideline was basically all of us. Total disbelief. That game didn't just save their season; it arguably changed the entire trajectory of the NBA. If the Warriors lose that game, maybe KD never leaves Oklahoma City. Maybe the dynasty ends before it even starts. It was a 108-101 win that felt like a heist.
Why 73-9 Still Hurts (and Why it Shouldn't)
You can't discuss Golden State Warriors past games without the elephant in the room: Game 7 of the 2016 Finals.
It’s weirdly painful to revisit. 89-89. That was the score for what felt like an eternity in the fourth quarter. It was actually about four and a half minutes of zero scoring. Both teams were absolutely gassed. LeBron James had "The Block" on Andre Iguodala, and then Kyrie Irving hit that step-back three over Steph Curry.
93-89. That was the final.
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People love to use this game to "prove" the 73-9 season didn't matter. That's a bit of a reach, isn't it? Losing that game was brutal, sure. But that entire season changed the math of basketball. They proved you could win at a historic level by shooting from the parking lot and playing "small ball." Even in a heartbreaking loss, the Warriors' past games from that era established a blueprint that every team is still trying to copy in 2026.
The "We Believe" Miracle
Before the titles and the parades, there was 2007. This is the era for the real ones.
The Warriors were an 8-seed. The Dallas Mavericks were a 67-win juggernaut with the MVP, Dirk Nowitzki. Nobody gave Golden State a prayer. But Don Nelson—who had previously coached Dirk—knew exactly how to rattle him.
Baron Davis was the engine. Stephen Jackson was the soul. They didn't just beat Dallas; they bullied them. Watching Game 6 at Oracle Arena was like watching a rock concert where the band also happened to be elite athletes. They won that series 4-2, becoming the first 8-seed to beat a 1-seed in a best-of-seven series.
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- Baron Davis's dunk on Andrei Kirilenko in the next round? Still the loudest I’ve ever heard a stadium.
- The Slogan: "We Believe" wasn't just marketing; it was a collective delusion that became reality.
- The Impact: It put the Bay Area back on the map after years of irrelevance.
What Most People Get Wrong About the KD Era
There’s this narrative that the games between 2017 and 2019 were "boring" because the Warriors were too good. That’s sort of a lazy take. If you actually look at Golden State Warriors past games during the Kevin Durant years, the level of execution was insane.
Take Game 1 of the 2018 Finals. Everyone remembers J.R. Smith forgetting the score, but they forget that LeBron James dropped 51 points and the Warriors still found a way to win 124-114 in overtime. The chemistry between Steph, Klay, and KD in those moments was surgical. It wasn't just talent; it was a high-speed chess match.
How to Actually "Watch" These Games Now
If you’re looking to dive back into the archives, don't just watch the highlights. Highlights are for casuals. To really get it, you have to watch the third quarters. That was the Warriors' signature move—the "Third Quarter Avalanche."
They’d be down by five at halftime, and then suddenly, Curry hits two threes, Draymond gets a steal, Klay hits a transition layup, and before you can go get a snack, they’re up by 18. It was a psychological blitz.
Actionable Ways to Relive the Glory:
- Check out the NBA App’s "Classic Games" section. They often have the full broadcasts, including the local Bay Area commentary, which hits different than the national stuff.
- Focus on Draymond Green. Next time you watch a replay of a 2015 or 2017 game, stop watching the ball. Watch Draymond on defense. It’s a masterclass in positioning and communication that you miss in the "Splash Brothers" hype.
- Contrast the eras. Watch a 2007 "We Believe" game and then jump to a 2022 Finals game. The evolution of the spacing is wild.
The dynasty might look different now in 2026, but the DNA of those Golden State Warriors past games is all over the league. Every time a center shoots a three or a team switches every screen, they’re paying homage to what happened at Oracle and Chase Center over the last two decades. It’s not just history; it’s the manual for modern basketball.