Klay Thompson returned after 941 days to help deliver a championship.
The most emotionally satisfying championship in recent memory. After a 15-50 nadir in 2019-20, the world wrote off the Golden State dynasty. They were wrong.
Curry was otherworldly early, launching into MVP conversation. On January 9th, Klay Thompson returned after 941 days. Andrew Wiggins transformed into an All-Star two-way force. The championship run through Denver, Memphis, Dallas, and Boston cemented the dynasty and earned Curry his long-awaited Finals MVP.
The season ended with Curry weeping on the TD Garden floor, trophy in hand, having finally silenced the last remaining criticism of his legacy. The Warriors were champions for the fourth time in eight years. The dynasty was not dead — it had simply been resting.
Season Trajectory
Bold = GSW. Faded = key opponents. Dashed = .500
Key Players
Player
Stats
Note
#30
Stephen Curry
Superstar / Finals MVP
25.5 PPG | 6.3 APG | 5.2 RPG
Won Finals MVP at 34, cementing his legacy.
#11
Klay Thompson
Returning Hero
20.4 PPG | 3.9 RPG
Back from 2.5 years of injury to deliver a title.
#22
Andrew Wiggins
Breakout Star
17.2 PPG | 4.5 RPG
All-Star starter. Dominant in the Finals.
#23
Draymond Green
Defensive QB
7.5 PPG | 7.3 RPG | 7.0 APG
Emotional and defensive heartbeat of the run.
#3
Jordan Poole
Sixth Man
18.5 PPG | 3.4 APG
Emerged as a lethal scoring weapon.
Team Payroll
Total Payroll: $176.9M
Salary Cap: $112.4M
Luxury Tax: Yes (deep luxury tax)
Highest payroll in NBA
Player
Salary
Stephen Curry
$45.8M
Klay Thompson
$38.0M
Andrew Wiggins
$31.6M
Draymond Green
$22.3M
Jordan Poole
$2.2M
The Season, Month by Month
Oct-Nov 2021
Curry Sets the Tone
Curry in peak MVP form early in the season.
Warriors roar to the NBA's best record. Curry's 50-point eruption vs. the Hawks on Nov 7 is the peak.
