JORDAN POOLE

James Wiseman scored 20 points as the defending champion Golden State Warriors defeated the Washington Wizards 96-87 to open the NBA preseason in Japan.

The nation’s youngest children are getting their chance at COVID-19 vaccines as the U.S. rolls out shots this week. Parents of infants and preschoolers lined up Tuesday for tot-sized doses of Pfizer's vaccine at Children's National Hospital in Washington. (AP video/Angie Wang)

From the moment all those months ago that Klay Thompson uttered “championship or bust,” the Golden State Warriors seemed set to make good on his lofty proclamation.

The goal was enormous: Return to the NBA’s mountaintop.

The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions once again, topping the Boston Celtics 103-90 for their fourth title in the last eight seasons.

Stephen Curry and the Warriors have been within a game of clinching a championship in three of Golden State’s previous five trips to the NBA Finals during his 13-year NBA career.

The Boston Celtics couldn’t make a 3-pointer to start the game and found themselves in a deep hole.

Andrew Wiggins delivered the biggest game yet in his eight-year career with 26 points and 13 rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 21 points, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics 104-94 for a 3-2 NBA Finals lead.

When the Golden State Warriors made their fourth-quarter push to get back into the NBA Finals, Draymond Green had the unusual role as spectator.

The Warriors’ last chance at pulling out a comeback victory ended with 3½ minutes left on Wednesday night during a scramble that, like the game, went Boston's way. The rebound was batted around and three Celtics and two Warriors went to the floor trying to secure the basketball. The focus was Curry, who when the players were separated remained on the floor wincing in pain. He chewed out the referee while Curry remained on the floor. Curry remained in the game but after the teams traded baskets to leave Boston ahead by 14 points, Kerr emptied his bench.

The Golden State Warriors’ last chance at pulling out a comeback victory in Game 3 of the NBA Finals ended during a scramble that went Boston's way with 3½ minutes left that went Boston’s way.

Jordan Poole knocked down a buzzer-beater from almost midcourt when Stephen Curry made a point to catch his gaze, and that celebratory stare down told so much about the veteran guard's pride for his young teammate. Curry expressed as much joy for Poole hitting the jaw-dropping shot from deep as he would had it been him, the superstar who already has more than his share of 3-pointers from way, way back. Curry still did plenty while scoring 29 points to lead the Warriors to a 107-88 Game 2 NBA Finals victory against the Celtics on Sunday night, evening the best-of-seven series at one game apiece as it shifts to Boston for Wednesday’s Game 3.

APTOPIX NBA Finals Celtics Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) celebrates after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals in San Francisco, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn) (Jed Jacobsohn)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Jordan Poole connected from just inside of midcourt to cap a huge third-quarter run and the Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics 107-88 on Sunday night in Game 2 to even the NBA Finals. Poole finished with 17 points for the Warriors, who outscored Boston 35-14 in the third quarter to turn a two-point halftime lead into a 23-point edge. And when the Warriors then scored the first six points of the fourth, the Celtics waved the surrender flag and emptied their bench. Jaylen Brown added 17 for the Celtics, but fought through a 5-for-17 shooting night, and Derrick White scored 12.

Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Jordan Poole connected from just inside of midcourt to cap a huge third-quarter run and the Golden State Warriors evened the NBA Finals at a game apiece by beating the Boston Celtics 107-88 on Sunday night.

Jordan Poole's offensive game may resemble Stephen Curry's, but Steve Kerr isn't yet allowing the third-year guard to shoot whenever he wants.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green picked up where they left off last time they were healthy in the postseason.

Stephen Curry scored 31 points, Andrew Wiggins added 27 while posterizing Luka Doncic on a dunk and the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 109-100 for a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are cherishing this playoff run a little more given they spent the past two years watching the postseason instead of their familiar position chasing championships.

Klay Thompson knocked down eight 3-pointers on the way to 30 points, Stephen Curry scored 29 with six 3s, and the Golden State Warriors advanced to the Western Conference finals by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 110-96 in Game 6.

Grizzlies Warriors Basketball Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant dribbles the ball as he is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, and forward Andrew Wiggins during the fourth quarter in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) (Stephen Lam)MEMPHIS, Tenn. — (AP) — Memphis All-Star guard Ja Morant is doubtful for the remainder of the NBA postseason after an MRI and further evaluation revealed a bone bruise in his injured right knee. The NBA’s most improved player had been averaging 38.3 points a game in the Grizzlies' Western Conference semifinal matchup with Golden State. Morant reinjured his knee on a play with the Warriors' Jordan Poole that the teams debated during the Grizzlies’ 142-112 loss in Game 3. Associate head coach Mike Brown will coach Game 5 as planned.

The Memphis Grizzlies say All-Star guard Ja Morant is doubtful for the remainder of the postseason after an MRI and further evaluation revealed a bone bruise in his injured right knee.

Stephen Curry converted eight free throws over the final 45.7 seconds on the way to 32 points, leading the Golden State Warriors’ fourth-quarter comeback for a 101-98 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies and a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Grizzlies Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors' Jordan Poole, left, and Andrew Wiggins defends against Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant during the fourth quarter in Game 3 of NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal in San Francisco on Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) (Scott Strazzante)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is out for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors with a right knee injury. Just more than an hour before game time, Morant posted on Twitter simply an emoji of a bear. The team has called it soreness in the right knee for Morant, who missed time during the season with the injury. Morant limped off with 6:19 remaining in the game after Poole grabbed at the knee on a play the Warriors guard said was simply an effort to strip the ball.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is out for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors with a right knee injury.

Grizzlies Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors' Jordan Poole, left, and Andrew Wiggins defends against Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant during the fourth quarter in Game 3 of NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal in San Francisco on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Sunday he doesn't expect Morant to be available with Memphis trailing the Warriors 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. ... There’s probably a really good chance he doesn’t play tomorrow.”Morant, who limped off with 6:19 remaining in the game, was unable to do any basketball activity Sunday, Jenkins said. Poole and Andrew Wiggins swarmed Morant as he dribbled at the top of the 3-point arc when Morant struggled to keep possession — and Poole called it a basketball play with him going for the ball. I watched the play, there’s nothing to comment on.”Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones called it an “interesting” play but said he didn't believe Poole had malicious intent to hurt Morant.

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is unlikely to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against Golden State on Monday night after injuring his right knee on a play with Jordan Poole that the teams are debating from Memphis’ 142-112 defeat Saturday night.

Ja Morant and Taylor Jenkins were unhappy about a play that led to his knee injury

Stephen Curry scored 30 points, Klay Thompson had 21 and nine rebounds and the Golden State Warriors shut down Ja Morant’s supporting cast to embarrass the Memphis Grizzlies 142-112 on Saturday night for a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Ja Morant scored 47 points to match his postseason high and carry the Memphis Grizzlies into a tie in the Western Conference semifinals with a 106-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

Poole had playoff career-highs with 31 points and eight rebounds, and he also matched his playoff career-best with nine assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. nearly matched Morant's 34 points with a playoff career-high 33 points in his second straight double-double. Antetokounmpo had a triple-double leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a road win to open their Eastern Conference semifinal with Boston. Jayson Tatum got little help from his Celtics' teammates with Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart going a combined 7 of 24. Tatum managed 21 points, but Brown finished with only 12, going 3 of 9 from the 3-point line with seven turnovers.

Game 1 showed that whoever wins the 1-on-1 scoring battle between Memphis’ Ja Morant and Stephen Curry of the Warriors doesn’t mean their team will win the game or their Western Conference semifinal.

Klay Thompson hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds left, and the Golden State Warriors overcame Draymond Green’s first-half ejection to edge the Memphis Grizzlies 117-116 on Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have the Golden State Warriors in their seventh Western Conference semifinal in 10 seasons.

Stephen Curry scored 30 points in his return to Golden State’s starting lineup and the Warriors beat Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets 102-98 on Wednesday night to end the first-round series in five games.

The Denver Nuggets avoided a sweep at the hands of the Golden State Warriors with a 126-121 win Sunday to send the series back to San Francisco for Game 5.

Warriors Nuggets Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, front, congratulates forward Draymond Green near the endoof Game 3 of the team's NBA basketball first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Denver Nuggets Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole scored 27 points each, Klay Thompson made six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points and the Golden State Warriors muscled past the Denver Nuggets 118-113 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the playoff series. Golden State can wrap up the series Sunday in Denver. Nuggets: Denver has been outscored in the second quarter of the series by a combined 99-72. They've allowed Golden State to go on second-quarter runs of 16-0 in Game 1, 15-2 in Game 2 and 15-4 in Game 3.

Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole scored 27 points each, Klay Thompson made six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points and the Golden State Warriors muscled past the Denver Nuggets 118-113 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the playoff series.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Stephen Curry came off the bench for a second straight game and showed he's healthy at last, scoring 34 points to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Denver Nuggets 126-106 on Monday night for a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series. Klay Thompson added 21 points, while Curry shot 12 for 17 with five 3s as Denver again had no answer defensively for all of the Warriors' dangerous perimeter threats. The Nuggets went ahead 43-31 on Monte Morris’ layup at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter and the Warriors answered with 16 straight points. ... Denver committed costly turnovers once more, 18 of them leading to 25 Warriors points — something Malone stressed couldn't happen. Warriors: Curry, Poole and Thompson combined to go 31 for 52 from the floor with 13 3s.

Stephen Curry came off the bench for a second straight game and showed he’s healthy at last, scoring 34 points to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Denver Nuggets 126-106 for a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night at Chase Center — which hosted its first playoff game since opening in fall 2019. Curry, Green and Thompson helped Golden State beat Denver 4-2 in the first round of the 2013 playoffs when Iguodala played for the Nuggets. The experienced players were reunited for the first playoff game in San Francisco in 58 years, since April 1, 1958, against the St. Louis Hawks. Warriors: Thompson passed Rasheed Wallace (2,384) for 44th place on the all-time playoffs scoring list. The Warriors went 6-6 down the stretch without Curry, winning their final five regular-season games.

Jordan Poole shined in his long-awaited playoff debut scoring 30 points, staying in the starting lineup as Stephen Curry returned from a foot injury by coming off the bench initially, and the Golden State Warriors’ defense smothered Nikola Jokic to beat the Denver Nuggets 123-107 in the opener of their first-round playoff series.

Stephen Curry will play but not start for Golden State in Game 1 of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.

Klay Thompson's season-high 41-point performance included seven 3-pointers for the Golden State Warriors, who clinched the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 128-107 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr made a point to tell Klay Thompson he played his best game yet since returning in January from a 2 1/2-year absence following surgeries and long rehabs on his left knee and right Achilles. Jordan Poole keeps doing his part to provide a spark when the Warriors are missing stars like Thompson or, currently, Stephen Curry. Thompson scored 33 points with six 3-pointers and Golden State won its third straight game after dropping four in a row, running away late from the depleted Los Angeles Lakers for a 128-112 victory Thursday night.

Klay Thompson scored 36 points and the Golden State Warriors erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Utah Jazz 111-107.

Suns Warriors Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) shoots over Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in San Francisco. Poole shot 11 for 22 with seven 3s as Golden State returned home from a 123-95 loss at Memphis on Monday night. The Warriors had won the previous two matchups with the Suns, who have an eight-game road winning streak. TIP-INSSuns: Phoenix won on the Warriors’ home floor for the first time in four tries since a 121-110 victory on Oct. 30, 2019. The Suns won last season's matchups 2-1 for their first victorious season series since taking all four meetings in 2010-11.

Devin Booker’s two free throws with 34.2 seconds left put Phoenix ahead, Draymond Green traveled to turn it over before Chris Paul made a short jumper, and the NBA-best Phoenix Suns held off the Golden State Warriors 107-103 in a furious finish between Western Conference rivals.

Franz Wagner made three free throws with 12.2 seconds remaining and dunked on an inbounds play for the final points, leading the Orlando Magic to a 94-90 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Stephen Curry went down with a left foot injury late in the first half and didn’t return as Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics routed the Golden State Warriors 110-88 on Wednesday night.

Stephen Curry dazzled for 47 points on his 34th birthday, Draymond Green returned from a 29-game absence to ignite the defense, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Washington Wizards 126-112.

Bucks Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Saturday, March 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Klay Thompson scored a season-best 38 points, raising his right arm in triumph to ignite the home crowd and leading the Golden State Warriors past the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, 122-109 on Saturday night. Thompson had his second 30-point performance since returning Jan. 9 from a two-year absence following knee and Achilles surgeries. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and eight rebounds, but the Warriors’ defense held the rest of the Bucks down. New forward DeAndre' Bembry, only signed last month when the Nets waived him, injured his right knee and was helped to the locker room with 2:31 left in the third quarter.

Klay Thompson scored a season-best 38 points, raising his right arm in triumph to ignite the home crowd and leading the Golden State Warriors past the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, 122-109 on Saturday night.

Warriors Nuggets Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts after Jordan Poole hit a 3-point basket late in the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half, and the Golden State Warriors closed the game with a 13-0 run to beat the Denver Nuggets 113-102 on Thursday night. Jordan Poole had 21 points, and Jonathan Kuminga and Klay Thompson added 18 each for the Warriors, who beat the Nuggets for the first time this season. Denver's Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, just missing his 19th triple double of the season. A basket by Poole put the Warriors up 35-32 early in the second quarter before the Nuggets, with their second unit on the floor, went on a stunning 15-0 run.

Stephen Curry scored 24 of his 34 points in the second half, and the Golden State Warriors closed the game with a 13-0 run to beat the Denver Nuggets 113-102.

LeBron James scored a season-high 56 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 124-116 on Saturday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Luka Doncic scored 41 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat Golden State for the second time in five days, holding off the Warriors 122-113 on Thursday night after a huge fourth-quarter rally for the victory in California.

Luka Doncic made two free throws with 7.9 seconds left on the way to 34 points and the Dallas Mavericks came back from 21 down in the third quarter to stun the Golden State Warriors 107-101 on Sunday night.

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY — (AP) — Several opponents have said the Utah Jazz can’t defend when big man Rudy Gobert isn’t cleaning up their mistakes. He had six blocks in the first half and then every one seemed to turn into a layup on the other end,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. Jordan Poole led Golden State with 18 points and Stephen Curry had 16 in the Warriors’ most lopsided loss this season. Following a pattern in the game, Whiteside grabbed an offensive rebound to cap the run and make it 92-67 with 8:47 to play. Jazz: Whiteside had six first-half blocks.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and Donovan Mitchell had 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Utah Jazz shut down Golden State in a 111-85 victory that snapped the Warriors’ nine-game winning streak.

Klay Thompson hit the biggest shot yet of his 2 1/2-year injury comeback, smoothly sinking a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in the game to send the Golden State Warriors to a 110-106 victory over Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets.

Jazz Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, drives to the basket against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Jordan Poole scored 20 points to lead a balanced Golden State scoring attack, and the Warriors held off a late Utah rally to beat the Jazz 94-92 on Sunday night. That streak dates back to exactly a year ago, when the Jazz won 127-108 in Utah on Jan. 23, 2021. Warriors: Veteran Andre Iguodala sat out as Golden State manages his left hip injury. ... Golden State took care of the ball, committing just 10 turnovers.

Jordan Poole scored 20 points to lead a balanced Golden State scoring attack, and the Warriors held off a late Utah rally to beat the Jazz 94-92.

Rockets Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates after the Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets in an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Stephen Curry hit a game-winning 20-foot jumper from the top of the key to beat the final buzzer, scoring 22 points and sending the Golden State Warriors past the Houston Rockets 105-103 on Friday night. Porter Jr.’s driving dunk with 3:38 to play got Golden State within 101-99. Golden State trailed 54-43 at the break then went into the final quarter tied at 76. Warriors: Retired Warriors COO and Hall of Famer Rick Welts was honored with a medallion on the Warriors Walk of Fame outside the arena he helped build.

Stephen Curry hit a game-winning 20-foot jumper from the top of the key to beat the final buzzer, scoring 22 points and sending the Golden State Warriors past the Houston Rockets 105-103.

Warriors Bulls Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, drives against Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — Andrew Wiggins scored 21 points, Stephen Curry added 19 and the Golden State Warriors rolled to their most lopsided win of the season, dominating the Chicago Bulls 138-96 on Friday night. The Warriors broke out of their rut in a huge way, pulling away early after dropping four of five. The Warriors led 37-28 through the first quarter despite just two points from Curry, then outscored Chicago 41-19 in the second. Bulls: Visit Boston on Saturday.

Andrew Wiggins scored 21 points, Stephen Curry added 19 and the Golden State Warriors rolled to their most lopsided win of the season, dominating the Chicago Bulls 138-96.

Klay Thompson scored 17 points in his return from two devastating injuries that sidelined him more than 2 1/2 years, helping the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-82.

Stephen Curry became the first player in NBA history to make 3,000 career 3-pointers on Tuesday night in a game where the Denver Nuggets barely held off the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors 89-86.

Stephen Curry had 33 points, Otto Porter Jr. scored seven of his 19 during a key late stretch and the Golden State Warriors regained to top spot in the NBA from Phoenix, beating the Suns 116-107 on Saturday.

The NBA's five-game Christmas Day slate will be played as scheduled, but with many big names absent.

Joel Embiid had 26 points and nine rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers delayed Stephen Curry’s bid to break Ray Allen’s career 3-point record in a 102-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.

The Golden State Warriors will miss the NBA playoffs for the second consecutive season, but don't expect them to blow up the roster entirely.

Grizzlies Warriors Basketball The Memphis Grizzlies celebrate after defeating the Golden State Warriors in an NBA basketball Western Conference play-in game in San Francisco, Friday, May 21, 2021. Jordan Poole hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:50 left in OT for Golden State only to see Xavier Tillman answer with a baseline 3 moments later. Poole lost the ball out of bounds leading to Morant's basket with 4 seconds left, then Poole made another improbable 3 with 2 seconds remaining. Warriors: The Warriors had won six straight home games after wrapping up the regular season with a 6-0 homestand. ... Golden State won 10 of the last 12 at home in all.

Ja Morant scored 35 points to overcome 39 by Steph Curry as the Grizzlies won 117-112 in overtime to clinch the NBA's final playoff spot.

Golden State needed his hot hand given Curry's struggles from deep for a second straight night. Poole scored 20 points to wrap up Golden State’s final set of back-to-backs as the Warriors won their fourth straight at home. The Suns won the first two matchups of the season by 20 or more points, 120-98 on March 4 and 114-93 on Jan. 28. ... Phoenix surrendered 62 Warriors points in the paint. Warriors: Host the Pelicans on Friday night having won 13 of the last 15 at home vs. New Orleans.