NBA Twitter reacts to Warriors’ loss in Game 3 of NBA Finals after Celtics dominate fourth quarter
After falling down by as many as 18 points early, the Golden State Warriors slowly chipped away at the Boston Celtics’ lead through the first three-quarters of Game 3 on Wednesday night.
The Warriors used their signature third-quarter run to erase the Celtics’ 12-point advantage at halftime. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 25 points with six triples in the third quarter to cut Boston’s lead to only four points before the final 12 minutes.
While the Warriors landed a haymaker in the third quarter, the Celtics dropped the knockout punch in the fourth quarter. The Celtics opened the fourth quarter on a run to stretch their lead back to double-figures in minutes.
Tight defense from Boston turned into Golden State turnovers as the Celtics used a dominant fourth quarter to seal a victory in Game 3, 116-100.
Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart all tallied 24 or more points on the way to the Celtics grabbing a commanding 2-1 lead in the 2022 edition of the NBA Finals.
Following Boston’s win in Game 3, the NBA community on Twitter chimed in with different reactions. Here’s a look at what fans, analysts and players were saying on Wednesday night.
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NBA notes after tonight's Celtics win over the Warriors:
• Teams that win Game 3 in a 1-1 NBA Finals have gone on to win the series 82.1% of the time (32-7).
• Teams that lead the NBA Finals 2-1 have gone on to win the series 80.3% of the time (49-12).
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 9, 2022
Robert Williams III had the paint on 🔒 in the @celtics' Game 3 victory!
Time Lord: 8 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL, 4 BLK pic.twitter.com/qNyGs2OW3K
— NBA (@NBA) June 9, 2022
That gane felt much bigger than just one game. Backs against the walls Friday night in the TD Garden. Ya got the Klay AND Curry game on the road. Not impossible but man it’s as desperate as they’ve felt in years.
— Joe Shasky (@ButcherBoy415) June 9, 2022
Poole thru 3 games:
12 Made FGs
7 Turnovers— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) June 9, 2022
Nobody’s saying Draymond needs to stop his podcast forever.
But maybe a two-week hiatus while you’re playing in the NBA Finals?
I don’t know…
— Guru (@DrGuru_) June 9, 2022
Draymond post-game >>>>> Draymond in-game.
— Fast Break (@GSWFastBreak) June 9, 2022
Steve Kerr says he took Stephen Curry out of the game with two minutes left because the Warriors were down 14, not because of his apparent injury. However, he didn’t deny that the injury was a concern. The team will know more about the nature of it tomorrow.
— C.J. Holmes 🦹🏾♂️ (@CjHolmes22) June 9, 2022
WRONG:
15 fouls, 15 pts, 1 podcast. https://t.co/tzHifCKqm6— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) June 9, 2022
Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart are the 4th trio of teammates in NBA History to record 20+ PTS, 5+ REB, and 5+ AST in a #NBAFinals game. pic.twitter.com/S3LLMstiGS
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 9, 2022
3rd quarter Warriors and 4th quarter Warriors are polar opposites
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) June 9, 2022
The Celtics are now 7-0 this postseason after a loss, tied for the most in NBA postseason history. pic.twitter.com/2ASVPfcqcu
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 9, 2022
Not a great game for Dray at all !! @warriors
— DaryleTHEGURUJohnson (@DDDGURU) June 9, 2022
11 points in the 4th quarter. Sheesh…
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) June 9, 2022
The Warriors have outscored the Celtics by 43 points in the third quarter
The Celtics have outscored the Warriors by 40 points in the fourth
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) June 9, 2022
Steph with 9 fouls in the series… More than every Celtics starter.
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) June 9, 2022
Draymond is gonna have to wear it for a couple days (at least)
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) June 9, 2022
Good news was that it didn’t appear as if Curry’s foot got twisted in any way during the Horford play and he continued to play. Horford may have simply landed on the foot portion of Curry’s ankle braces which can be painful. 🤞🏼 #DubNation
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) June 9, 2022
It has to be said: 2 of the Warriors’ Big 3 did what they could to will the Warriors forward tonight. The one that didn’t needs to be better; if not, they’re probably toast.
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) June 9, 2022
Not sure there was anyone who played a good defensive game for the Warriors. Everyone was jumpy and taking themselves out of position leading to fouls. No one wanted to box out. Giving up drive after drive to the rim. 30 2PM for Boston
— Justin (RIPKOBE) (@ThePackageJG) June 9, 2022
What adjustments can the Warriors make, if any, to even the series up in Game 4?
— Guru (@DrGuru_) June 9, 2022
Decision to pull Looney was also curious this early in the series. Warriors took a hell of a physical beating under the basket.
— feltbot (@feltbot) June 9, 2022
Look like Draymond was more prepped for his post game podcast than the actual game. Just an observation, never mind me tho. Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 9, 2022
Celtics are really good, man
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) June 9, 2022
Celtics defeat the Warriors, 116-100. They take a 2-1 series lead.
Jaylen Brown: 27 pts, 9 rebs, 5 asts
Jayson Tatum: 26 pts, 6 rebs, 9 asts
Marcus Smart: 24 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts
Al Horford: 11 pts, 8 rebs, 6 astsSteph Curry: 31 pts, 2 asts, 2 stls
Klay THompson: 25 pts, 3 asts— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 9, 2022
Lack of defense + rebounding on full display tonight. Disaster 1Q/4Q
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) June 9, 2022
Tonight was quite the gut-check for the Warriors. This Celtics team played inspired basketball and, though it had some memorable moments, Golden State ultimately couldn't match Boston's fire. The Warriors — and Draymond Green in particular — need to re-evaluate some things.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) June 9, 2022
116 points for the Celtics in Game 3 and they didn't even go crazy from 3. Warriors weren't strong enough on the interior tonight. Celtics won the paint points 52-26 and the second chance points 22-11.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 9, 2022
Final 📊
Stephen – 31p/4r/2a/2s
Klay – 25p/3r/3a/1s/1b
Andrew – 18p/7r/2a/2s/2b
Jordan – 10p/3r/3a
Kevon – 6p/7r/3a
Otto – 6p/1r/4a/1s
Draymond – 2p/4r/3a/1b
Gary – 2p/1r/1a/1s
JK – 1r
Beli – 1a
Moses – 1b pic.twitter.com/ZzhgSD5Lje— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 9, 2022
A 16 point 4Q for the Warriors in the game one loss.
An 11 point 4Q in the game three loss.
— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) June 9, 2022
As bad of a big game that Draymond has ever played. I’d expect him to be much, much better in Game 4. He better be for GSW’s sake.
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) June 9, 2022
Splash Brothers tried to do it themselves but Warriors clearly need a 3rd person to step up each game in some way.
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) June 9, 2022
Dray thru 3 Games:
15 points
15 assists
20 rebounds
15 fouls— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) June 9, 2022
The Celtics finally swarmed Curry in the fourth quarter and banked on others beating them. Not only did they force three turnovers from him, but limited Curry to 4 shots, he made one. Warriors managed just 11 points in the first 10 minutes of the quarter
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) June 9, 2022
Steph Curry's been beat up the last few minutes. Stayed down after he was tangled up on that loose ball. Grabbing at his rib cage after that Marcus Smart bump the last drive. His night's over. Steve Kerr pulled starters. Only one day off before Game 4.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 9, 2022
Warriors might have had a chance if Draymond and Poole had showed up
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) June 9, 2022
pain.
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) June 9, 2022
