Death Lineup: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 09:55, 19 August 2024

Death Lineup

The Death Lineup was a lineup of basketball players on the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2014 to 2019. Developed under head coach Steve Kerr, it began during their 2014–15 run that led to an NBA championship. Unlike typical small-ball units, this group of Warriors was versatile enough to defend larger opponents, while also aiming to create mismatches on offense with their shooting and playmaking skills.^[1]^[2]^[3]

The lineup featured the Splash Brothers, a three-point shooting backcourt consisting of two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry, and perennial two-way All-Star Klay Thompson. It also featured versatile defender and 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala on the wing alongside scorer Kevin Durant, and 2016–17 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green at center.^[4] Green's defensive versatility was described as the "key" that allowed the lineup to be so effective; although his natural position was power forward, he was able to play as an undersized center in lieu of a traditional center who might have been slower or lacked the playmaking and shooting abilities of Green.^[5]^[6] The lineup originally included Harrison Barnes, who was replaced in 2016–17 by former league MVP and four-time scoring champion Durant; the new group began to be known as the "Hamptons Five".^[7]^[8]

The Death Lineup was considered to be indicative of a larger overall trend in the NBA towards "positionless" basketball, where traditional position assignments and roles have less importance.^[9]^[10]^[11] Their time together ended after the 2018–19 season, when Durant became a free agent and decided not to rejoin the Warriors and Iguodala was traded.

Origins and first championship

In 2014–15, Golden State won 67 games in the regular season, led by NBA MVP Stephen Curry. The Warriors' starting lineup with the 7-foot (2.1 m) Andrew Bogut at center played 813 minutes together and outscored opponents by 19.6 points per 100 possessions. After falling behind 2–1 in the 2015 NBA Finals, Warriors coach Steve Kerr inserted Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup in place of Bogut, who had been named to NBA All-Defensive Team in 2015.^[12] Draymond Green moved from power forward to center, while Iguodala and Harrison Barnes, both traditional small forwards, were the forwards. The adjustment surrendered size and strength for speed and playmaking.^[13] The change was first suggested by Kerr's special assistant, Nick U'Ren, who was a fan of the lineup because it always seemed to pick up the pace of the game to a faster speed, which the Warriors preferred.^[14]^[15] He had also been watching video of the 2014 NBA Finals, when the series turned after San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich increased the tempo by switching to a small-ball lineup with the 6-foot-8-inch (2.03 m) Boris Diaw at center. The Spurs defeated the Miami Heat and LeBron James, who was now back with Cleveland facing Golden State. U'Ren anticipated that Iguodala would have the same impact for the Warriors.^[15]^[16]

The five-man lineup of Iguodala, Curry, Thompson, Green, and Barnes had played together for 102 minutes during the regular season and 62 minutes through the first 18 games of the playoffs.^[14] Although the tallest player was only 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m), the unit was also strong defensively.^[17] They were all able to switch on defense,^[18] spearheaded by Green's ability to guard players taller and heavier than him.^[17]^[19] The Warriors won 103–82 in Game 4,^[12] and captured the series 4–2 to win their first championship since 1975.^[20] In the last three games, they defeated the Cavaliers by a combined 42 points, and the new starting unit outscored Cleveland 107–87 in their 49 minutes together.^[14] Iguodala was named the Finals MVP, becoming the first player to garner the award without starting every game in the series,^[21] as well as the first winner to have not started a game during the regular season.^[22]

73-win record

It was not until months after it was deployed in the Finals that the Warriors small lineup was referred to as the Death Lineup,^[13]^[14]^[23] a phrase originated by Vincent Goodwill, then of The Detroit News.^[13]^[16] Despite the unit's success, the 2015–16 Warriors continued to start a traditional lineup with Bogut as their center.^[24] Golden State won an NBA-record 73 games behind Curry's league-leading 30.1 points per game and an NBA-record 402 three-pointers made in a season. He was named the MVP for the second straight season, becoming the first unanimous winner in league history.^[25] During the season, the Death Lineup was generally reserved to finish the first half and the end of games.^[26] It was deployed in 37 games, outscoring opponents by 166 points in 172 minutes for an average advantage of 4.5 points per game and 47.0 points per 100 possessions.^[20]^[23]^[27]^[28] Despite their regular season success, the Warriors lost the 2016 NBA Finals, becoming the first team to lose a Finals series after being ahead 3–1.^[29]

Hamptons Five

During the off-season, Golden State signed former league MVP and four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant to replace Harrison Barnes, who had averaged just five points and made only 5 of 32 shots during the last three losses in the 2016 Finals.^[29]^[30] With Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Warriors' opponents in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, the move was seen as a disruption in the competitive balance of the NBA, and the Warriors instantly became strong title favorites.^[31]^[32] The move gave the Death Lineup four players who have averaged at least five assists in a season.^[33] While Barnes was a good defender, Durant also added a shot-blocking element to their switching defense.^[13] San Francisco Bay Area journalist Tim Kawakami coined the nickname "Hamptons Five" for the new group, which included the four players who traveled with team officials to The Hamptons to recruit Durant.^[7]^[34]^[35] Durant was impressed that all four players showed up and respected his play. They convinced Durant that he was wanted even though they had already won a championship and came within a game of winning a second. Curry, asked by Durant why he wanted him to join, assured him that he was focused on winning and not concerned with being the face of the franchise, despite being the two-time defending league MVP.^[36] The Warriors won the 2017 NBA Finals 4–1, and Durant was unanimously voted the Finals MVP.^[37] Kerr had used the Death Lineup for just 16 minutes in the series until deploying it for 17 in the Game 5 clincher.^[38] Iguodala scored 20 points in 38 minutes after averaging less than 30 minutes in the first four games of the series. Kerr used him in the small-ball lineup in lieu of big men Zaza Pachulia (10 minutes) and JaVale McGee (0).^[39]

Injuries limited Golden State's use of the Death Lineup in 2017–18.^[40]^[41] Opponents had also adapted by rarely leaving their centers in the game against the Warriors' small lineup. Through 49 games, the unit had a -1.2 plus-minus rating.^[41] However, it was still considered the team's most potent lineup.^[3]^[41]^[42] In the final 17 games of the regular season, the Warriors were 7–10 with Curry missing all but one game after an ankle and later a knee injury. Durant, Thompson, Green, and Iguodala each missed four to eight games as well.^[43] In total, the group finished the regular season with 127 minutes played together over 28 games, outscoring their opponents by a mundane 22 points.^[44] In Game 4 of the conference semifinals in the 2018 playoffs, Kerr started the Hamptons Five with Durant for the first time ever, and they posted a plus-minus of +26 in 18 minutes to lead a 118–92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, giving Golden State a 3–1 lead in the series.^[35] After eliminating the Pelicans in five games, the Warriors continued with the starting lineup in the conference finals to build a 2–1 series lead against the Houston Rockets.^[45] Golden State won the series 4–3, but Iguodala missed the last four games with a bruised leg.^[46] The Warriors entered the NBA Finals for the fourth straight time versus Cleveland. They swept the Cavaliers in the series in four games, leading to their third championship in four years.

Fifth consecutive Finals

In 2018–19, the Warriors acquired DeMarcus Cousins, who was recovering from a ruptured left Achilles. He gave Golden State a top-flight, true center for the first time under Kerr, and they became the first team in 42 years with a starting lineup of five All-Stars from the previous season.^[47]^[48] While the Hamptons Five played more (178 minutes in 38 games) than in the previous regular season, Kerr played the lineup of Cousins, Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green more (268 minutes in 21 games) to integrate Cousins into his new team.^[48] In Game 1 of the opening round of the 2019 playoffs, Kerr went to the Hamptons Five early, using them to quell a rally by the Los Angeles Clippers. The coach called the lineup "the best five-man unit in the league". Cousins finished the game with a -17 plus-minus.^[49] The Warriors eliminated the Clippers in six games, but Cousins tore his left quadriceps in Game 2, and he was initially thought to be out for the remainder of the postseason.^[50] In a sign of respect and with an increased urgency, Kerr opened the following round against Houston by starting the Hamptons Five for the first time in the season.^[51]^[52] The Rockets featured two of the top one-on-one, pick-and-roll players in James Harden and Chris Paul, and the coach wanted Iguodala's defense in the starting lineup to counter.^[53] In Game 2, each member of the lineup scored at least 15 points, the first time for a Warriors starting unit under Kerr, and Golden State jumped to a 2–0 series lead.^[54] Houston countered the Warriors' small unit by playing forward P. J. Tucker at center along with four guards, forming a lineup of five shooters all 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) or shorter, and tied the series 2–2.^[55]^[56] In Game 5, Durant suffered a strained right calf and left with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter;^[57]^[58] he was later ruled out indefinitely. With Curry and Thompson struggling with their shooting, Durant had been their best player in the playoffs, averaging a team-leading 35.4 points entering the game.^[57] However, Curry led Golden State to a Game 5 win after scoring 16 of his 25 points after Durant exited.^[58] The Warriors captured the series on the road in Game 6, when Thompson scored 21 of his 27 in the first half, and Curry collected all of his 33 points in the second half.^[59]

In the Western Conference finals, Golden State swept the Portland Trail Blazers 4–0, with three of the wins including comebacks of 15 points or more.^[60]^[61] After starting nine consecutive games,^[62] Iguodala missed the deciding Game 4 with a sore left calf injury from Game 3.^[61] Curry averaged a series career-high 36.5 points, the highest average by a player in a four-game sweep in NBA history.^[63] He and Green both had triple-doubles in Game 4, becoming the first teammates in NBA playoff history to achieve the feat in the same game.^[61] The Warriors became only the second team to reach five straight NBA Finals, joining the Boston Celtics (1957–1966).^[a] Golden State was down 3–1 in the 2019 finals to the Toronto Raptors when Durant returned in Game 5. The Hamptons Five started the game, but Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the second quarter.^[64] The Warriors lost the series in Game 6, when Thompson tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Both Durant and Thompson were expected to miss most, if not all, of the following season.^[65]

Aftermath

After the 2018–19 season, the free agent Durant announced that he would sign with the Brooklyn Nets,^[66] while Thompson agreed to re-sign with Golden State.^[67] Eyeing a replacement for Thompson while he recovered from his injury, the Warriors traded Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies in order to free salary cap space to acquire All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade package with Brooklyn for Durant.^[68]^[69]^[70] After Durant's and Iguodala's departures, Warriors CEO Joe Lacob announced his intention to eventually retire their numbers.^[71]

In 2019–20, the Warriors moved into their new arena, Chase Center, which includes a hallway featuring drawings of each member of the Hamptons Five.^[72] Golden State finished with a league-worst 15–50 record. Thompson missed the entire season rehabbing his injury, and Curry was limited to five games all season after breaking his left hand in October. The Warriors' season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[73]^[74]

Iguodala returned to the Warriors in 2021–22, and Thompson made his return in January 2022 after being out for 941 days. The Warriors won the 2022 NBA Finals over the Celtics for Golden State's fourth title in eight years. Curry was awarded his first Finals MVP.^[75]

The following season, the Warriors finished 6th in the West, beating the Sacramento Kings in 7 games in the first round before ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals in 6 games. This marked the 1st instance in Steve Kerr's coaching tenure with the Warriors that they failed to win a playoff series in the Western Conference.

Notes

^ The Celtics advanced 10 straight times, winning nine, including eight consecutive.^[62]

References

^ Tjarks, Jonathan (September 6, 2016). "The NBA's New Lineups of Death". The Ringer. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022.
^ Slater, Anthony (May 15, 2016). "A clash of styles: The Thunder's big lineup against the Warriors' small-ball unit". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Dubin, Jared (March 7, 2018). "Golden State's Death Lineup Has Been DOA on Defense". Vice Sports. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
^ "The Warriors waited until the right moment to unleash their greatest weapon, and the Cavs had no answer". Business Insider. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
^ Tsan, Pin. "How Draymond Green Drives the Golden State Machine – Warriors World". Archived from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
^ "Warriors' Draymond Green as NBA's top center? It's no joke". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Warriors Monday Mailbag: What's up with the center spot? Death lineup overuse?". mercurynews.com. December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
^ "NBA Power Rankings: Warriors back into top spot, Raptors up to third". yahoo.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
^ "The Epitome Of Positionless Basketball – RealGM Articles". basketball.realgm.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
^ "The Orlando Magic are embracing positionless basketball". Orlando Magic Daily. July 28, 2017. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
^ "Positionless basketball defines NBA's copycat nature". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 15, 2017. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
^ ^a ^b Golliver, Ben (June 12, 2015). "Warriors start small, then stay small, to blow out Cavs and even NBA Finals". SI.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Thompson, Marcus II (2021). Dynasties: The 10 G.O.A.T. Teams That Changed the NBA Forever. Running Press. pp. 294–295. ISBN 9780762496280. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Google Books. The following season birthed what NBA writer Vincent Goodwill coined the Death Lineup.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Arnovitz, Kevin (October 14, 2015). "How the Warriors discovered the cheat code to basketball in the 2015 NBA Finals". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017.
^ ^a ^b Kawakami, Tim (June 3, 2016). "Nick U'Ren on the "Death Lineup" and what it does for the Warriors: "It works because there are no other players like those guys"". The San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018.
^ ^a ^b Simmons, Rusty (December 29, 2019). "Memorable moments: Warriors' dynasty takes flight with a bold decision". San Franciago Chronicle. Retrieved June 4, 2022. The Warriors simply called the half-closing unit their small lineup, but Vincent Goodwill, then of the Detroit News, coined the phrase 'Death Lineup.'
^ ^a ^b Greenberg, Neil (May 12, 2016). "No one can stop the Warriors' small-ball lineup". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
^ Alipour, Sam (December 8, 2015). "Stephen Curry on copying the Warriors' way: 'You won't have the personnel'". ESPN The Magazine. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017.
^ Lowe, Zach (June 9, 2017). "One year later, Draymond Green has no regrets". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017.
^ ^a ^b Kawakami, Tim (June 1, 2016). "How the Warriors' "Death Lineup" was unleashed on Cleveland in last year's Finals, and probably will be again this time". The San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
^ Strauss, Ethan Sherwood (June 16, 2015). "Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015.
^ Sarecevic, Al (June 17, 2015). "Andre Iguodala: unlikely Finals MVP". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017.
^ ^a ^b Jenkins, Lee (June 7, 2016). "The birth of the Warriors' death lineup". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017.
^ Davis, Scott (February 12, 2016). "The NBA is still trying to solve the Warriors' deadliest weapon". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016.
^ "Warriors' Stephen Curry first player to win unanimous MVP". SI.com. May 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
^ Lou, William (September 4, 2016). "Kerr: Warriors will play Death Lineup with Durant at power forward". TheScore. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024.
^ Wagner, Kyle (June 1, 2017). "The Warriors Aren't A Small-Ball Team Anymore". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on June 1, 2017.
^ Slater, Anthony (October 31, 2016). "Examining five early season Warriors trends by the numbers". The San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on May 2, 2017.
^ ^a ^b Price, Dwayne (July 4, 2016). "Mavericks back in business with Warriors exes Bogut, Barnes on board". Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016.
^ Golliver, Ben (July 4, 2016). "Grades: Warriors outdo themselves with Kevin Durant blockbuster deal". SI.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017.
^ Golliver, Ben. "KD to Warriors bad for NBA? Adam Silver chimes in". SI.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
^ "Kevin Durant's decision makes Warriors odds-on NBA title favorites". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
^ Ruiz, Steven (July 4, 2016). "The Warriors new 'Death Lineup' is going to terrorize the NBA". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017.
^ McCallum, Jack (2017). Golden Days: West's Lakers, Steph's Warriors, and the California Dreamers who Reinvented Basketball. Ballantine Books. p. 28. ISBN 9780399179075. Retrieved January 25, 2018 – via Google Books.
^ ^a ^b Stein, Marc (May 7, 2018). "To Dominate in New Orleans and Beyond, the Warriors Head to the Hamptons". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
^ Kawakami, Tim (June 3, 2018). "'Why do you want me?' An oral history of Kevin Durant's July 2016 Hamptons meeting with the Warriors". The Athletic. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
^ Blinebury, Fran. "Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant claims Finals MVP". NBA.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
^ Wagner, Kyle; Herring, Chris (June 13, 2017). "They Are Kevin Durant's Warriors Now". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018.
^ Kawakami, Tim (June 13, 2017). "Coaching edge: Steve Kerr's best move of the championship-clinching Game 5". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017.
^ Mahoney, Rob (January 5, 2018). "The Warriors' Death Lineup Is on Ice". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Kawakami, Tim (January 26, 2018). "The Warriors' Death Lineup isn't so revolutionary these days, but it's still the unit opponents fear the most". The Athletic. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
^ Kurtenback, Dieter (February 25, 2018). "What we learned in the Warriors' emphatic win over the Thunder". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018.
^ Slater, Anthony (April 11, 2018). "Five observations on the Warriors' 119-79 blowout loss in Utah to cap the regular season". The Athletic. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
^ Slater, Anthony (April 9, 2019). "Ten stats that define this Warriors season and paint a clearer playoff picture". The Athletic. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
^ Botemps, Tim (May 22, 2018). "Rockets draw even with Warriors in Western Conference finals". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018.
^ "Warriors reach 4th straight NBA Finals with win over Houston". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 29, 2018. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018.
^ "Warriors beat Clippers 112-94; Boogie fouls out of debut". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 18, 2019. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Gorcey, Ryan (April 13, 2019). "Warriors: Death Lineup makes early appearance against Clippers, turns tide". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
^ Medina, Mark (April 14, 2019). "NBA playoffs: How Steve Kerr plans to use 'Death Lineup' in post-season run". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ "Warriors-Rockets II: Everything to know for the must-see sequel". ESPN.com. April 27, 2019. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ Stein, Marc (April 28, 2019). "Warriors Start Hamptons Five, Showing Urgency in Win Over Rockets". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ Helin, Kurt (May 15, 2019). "After Game 1, Steve Kerr says 'it's a series where we can play more people'". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
^ Feigen, Jonathan (April 28, 2019). "Warriors' change to 'Hamptons Five' lineup works on both ends". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ Stein, Marc (May 1, 2019). "Warriors Are Rolling and Rockets Are Rocked After Game 2". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ Greenberg, Neil (May 8, 2019). "Warriors' small ball 'lineup of death' is no longer lethal". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
^ Golliver, Ben (May 7, 2019). "Rockets' small lineup offers Warriors' 'Hamptons 5' their toughest test yet in Game 4 win". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Turbow, Jason (May 9, 2019). "Kevin Durant Pulled From Game 5 Against Rockets With Leg Injury". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Medina, Mark (May 10, 2019). "Warriors know Game 6 will require an extra helping of Curry". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
^ Letourneau, Connor (May 10, 2019). "Stephen Curry's late heroics lift the Warriors to series-clinching Game 6 win". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
^ Mahoney, Rob (May 21, 2019). "En Route to Fifth Straight Finals, Warriors Show They're the Greatest Comeback Team in NBA History". SI.com. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c Friedell, Nick (May 20, 2019). "Warriors first to 5 Finals in row since 1966 Celtics". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Cacciola, Scott (May 20, 2019). "Warriors Sweep Blazers to Reach Their 5th Straight N.B.A. Finals". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
^ Windhorst, Brian (May 21, 2019). "Peak Stephen Curry was unleashed in the Western Conference finals". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
^ Strauss, Ethan (June 10, 2019). "Anger. Sadness. Victory. Game 5 had it all as the Warriors' title hopes stay alive and they mourn Kevin Durant's injury". The Athletic. Retrieved June 23, 2019. When the Hamptons 5 starting lineup was announced, the series suddenly felt new.
^ Stein, Marc (June 14, 2019). "After the Injuries, What's Next for the Warriors?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
^ Carroll, Charlotte (June 30, 2019). "Durant's 'The Boardroom' Gains Thousands of Followers With Free Agency Announcement". SI.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
^ "Klay accepts max offer, will remain with Warriors". ESPN.com. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
^ Lowe, Zach (July 2, 2019). "Why the collapse of the Warriors feels so abrupt". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
^ "Warriors Acquire All-Star Guard D'Angelo Russell From Brooklyn Nets". NBA.com. July 7, 2019.
^ Shelburne, Ramona (June 2, 2022). "NBA Finals 2022: The grueling, expensive and risky reconstruction of the Golden State Warriors". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
^ Poole, Monty (July 19, 2019). "Why Warriors will retire Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala's jersey numbers". NBCSports.com. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
^ Fridell, Nick (December 27, 2019). "The Hamptons One: How Draymond Green is navigating his new Warriors world". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
^ Call, Tommy III (August 14, 2020). "Report: Steph Curry and Klay Thompson linked up for a recent workout together". USA Today. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
^ "Steph Curry believes Warriors' 15–50 year was blessing in disguise". NBCSports.com. July 11, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
^ "Stephen Curry wins NBA Finals MVP for 1st time in his career". NBA.com. June 16, 2022.

[64] The Celtics advanced 10 straight times, winning nine, including eight consecutive.^[62]

[tjarks_09062016-1] Tjarks, Jonathan (September 6, 2016). "The NBA's New Lineups of Death". The Ringer. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022.

[slater_05152016-2] Slater, Anthony (May 15, 2016). "A clash of styles: The Thunder's big lineup against the Warriors' small-ball unit". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016.

[dubin_03072018-3] Dubin, Jared (March 7, 2018). "Golden State's Death Lineup Has Been DOA on Defense". Vice Sports. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.

[4] "The Warriors waited until the right moment to unleash their greatest weapon, and the Cavs had no answer". Business Insider. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.

[5] Tsan, Pin. "How Draymond Green Drives the Golden State Machine – Warriors World". Archived from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

[6] "Warriors' Draymond Green as NBA's top center? It's no joke". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.

[mercurynews.com-7] "Warriors Monday Mailbag: What's up with the center spot? Death lineup overuse?". mercurynews.com. December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.

[8] "NBA Power Rankings: Warriors back into top spot, Raptors up to third". yahoo.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.

[9] "The Epitome Of Positionless Basketball – RealGM Articles". basketball.realgm.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

[10] "The Orlando Magic are embracing positionless basketball". Orlando Magic Daily. July 28, 2017. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

[11] "Positionless basketball defines NBA's copycat nature". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 15, 2017. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.

[golliver_06122016-12] Golliver, Ben (June 12, 2015). "Warriors start small, then stay small, to blow out Cavs and even NBA Finals". SI.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016.

[thompson2021-13] Thompson, Marcus II (2021). Dynasties: The 10 G.O.A.T. Teams That Changed the NBA Forever. Running Press. pp. 294–295. ISBN 9780762496280. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Google Books. The following season birthed what NBA writer Vincent Goodwill coined the Death Lineup.

[arnovitz_10142015-14] Arnovitz, Kevin (October 14, 2015). "How the Warriors discovered the cheat code to basketball in the 2015 NBA Finals". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017.

[kawakami_06033016-15] Kawakami, Tim (June 3, 2016). "Nick U'Ren on the "Death Lineup" and what it does for the Warriors: "It works because there are no other players like those guys"". The San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018.

[simmons_12292019-16] Simmons, Rusty (December 29, 2019). "Memorable moments: Warriors' dynasty takes flight with a bold decision". San Franciago Chronicle. Retrieved June 4, 2022. The Warriors simply called the half-closing unit their small lineup, but Vincent Goodwill, then of the Detroit News, coined the phrase 'Death Lineup.'

[greenberg_05122016-17] Greenberg, Neil (May 12, 2016). "No one can stop the Warriors' small-ball lineup". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.

[alipour_12082015-18] Alipour, Sam (December 8, 2015). "Stephen Curry on copying the Warriors' way: 'You won't have the personnel'". ESPN The Magazine. Archived from the original on June 12, 2017.

[19] Lowe, Zach (June 9, 2017). "One year later, Draymond Green has no regrets". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017.

[kawakami_06012016-20] Kawakami, Tim (June 1, 2016). "How the Warriors' "Death Lineup" was unleashed on Cleveland in last year's Finals, and probably will be again this time". The San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.

[21] Strauss, Ethan Sherwood (June 16, 2015). "Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2015.

[22] Sarecevic, Al (June 17, 2015). "Andre Iguodala: unlikely Finals MVP". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017.

[jenkins_06072016-23] Jenkins, Lee (June 7, 2016). "The birth of the Warriors' death lineup". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017.

[24] Davis, Scott (February 12, 2016). "The NBA is still trying to solve the Warriors' deadliest weapon". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016.

[25] "Warriors' Stephen Curry first player to win unanimous MVP". SI.com. May 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.

[26] Lou, William (September 4, 2016). "Kerr: Warriors will play Death Lineup with Durant at power forward". TheScore. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024.

[27] Wagner, Kyle (June 1, 2017). "The Warriors Aren't A Small-Ball Team Anymore". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on June 1, 2017.

[28] Slater, Anthony (October 31, 2016). "Examining five early season Warriors trends by the numbers". The San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on May 2, 2017.

[price_07044016-29] Price, Dwayne (July 4, 2016). "Mavericks back in business with Warriors exes Bogut, Barnes on board". Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016.

[30] Golliver, Ben (July 4, 2016). "Grades: Warriors outdo themselves with Kevin Durant blockbuster deal". SI.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017.

[31] Golliver, Ben. "KD to Warriors bad for NBA? Adam Silver chimes in". SI.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.

[32] "Kevin Durant's decision makes Warriors odds-on NBA title favorites". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.

[33] Ruiz, Steven (July 4, 2016). "The Warriors new 'Death Lineup' is going to terrorize the NBA". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017.

[34] McCallum, Jack (2017). Golden Days: West's Lakers, Steph's Warriors, and the California Dreamers who Reinvented Basketball. Ballantine Books. p. 28. ISBN 9780399179075. Retrieved January 25, 2018 – via Google Books.

[stein_05072018-35] Stein, Marc (May 7, 2018). "To Dominate in New Orleans and Beyond, the Warriors Head to the Hamptons". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.

[36] Kawakami, Tim (June 3, 2018). "'Why do you want me?' An oral history of Kevin Durant's July 2016 Hamptons meeting with the Warriors". The Athletic. Retrieved December 19, 2019.

[37] Blinebury, Fran. "Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant claims Finals MVP". NBA.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.

[38] Wagner, Kyle; Herring, Chris (June 13, 2017). "They Are Kevin Durant's Warriors Now". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018.

[39] Kawakami, Tim (June 13, 2017). "Coaching edge: Steve Kerr's best move of the championship-clinching Game 5". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017.

[40] Mahoney, Rob (January 5, 2018). "The Warriors' Death Lineup Is on Ice". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018.

[kawakami_01262018-41] Kawakami, Tim (January 26, 2018). "The Warriors' Death Lineup isn't so revolutionary these days, but it's still the unit opponents fear the most". The Athletic. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.

[42] Kurtenback, Dieter (February 25, 2018). "What we learned in the Warriors' emphatic win over the Thunder". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018.

[43] Slater, Anthony (April 11, 2018). "Five observations on the Warriors' 119-79 blowout loss in Utah to cap the regular season". The Athletic. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.

[44] Slater, Anthony (April 9, 2019). "Ten stats that define this Warriors season and paint a clearer playoff picture". The Athletic. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.

[45] Botemps, Tim (May 22, 2018). "Rockets draw even with Warriors in Western Conference finals". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018.

[46] "Warriors reach 4th straight NBA Finals with win over Houston". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 29, 2018. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018.

[47] "Warriors beat Clippers 112-94; Boogie fouls out of debut". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 18, 2019. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.

[gorcey_04132019-48] Gorcey, Ryan (April 13, 2019). "Warriors: Death Lineup makes early appearance against Clippers, turns tide". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.

[49] Medina, Mark (April 14, 2019). "NBA playoffs: How Steve Kerr plans to use 'Death Lineup' in post-season run". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[50] "Warriors-Rockets II: Everything to know for the must-see sequel". ESPN.com. April 27, 2019. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[51] Stein, Marc (April 28, 2019). "Warriors Start Hamptons Five, Showing Urgency in Win Over Rockets". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[52] Helin, Kurt (May 15, 2019). "After Game 1, Steve Kerr says 'it's a series where we can play more people'". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.

[53] Feigen, Jonathan (April 28, 2019). "Warriors' change to 'Hamptons Five' lineup works on both ends". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[54] Stein, Marc (May 1, 2019). "Warriors Are Rolling and Rockets Are Rocked After Game 2". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[55] Greenberg, Neil (May 8, 2019). "Warriors' small ball 'lineup of death' is no longer lethal". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2019.

[56] Golliver, Ben (May 7, 2019). "Rockets' small lineup offers Warriors' 'Hamptons 5' their toughest test yet in Game 4 win". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2019.

[turbow_05092019-57] Turbow, Jason (May 9, 2019). "Kevin Durant Pulled From Game 5 Against Rockets With Leg Injury". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.

[medina_05102019-58] Medina, Mark (May 10, 2019). "Warriors know Game 6 will require an extra helping of Curry". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.

[59] Letourneau, Connor (May 10, 2019). "Stephen Curry's late heroics lift the Warriors to series-clinching Game 6 win". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.

[60] Mahoney, Rob (May 21, 2019). "En Route to Fifth Straight Finals, Warriors Show They're the Greatest Comeback Team in NBA History". SI.com. Retrieved June 23, 2019.

[friedell_05202019-61] Friedell, Nick (May 20, 2019). "Warriors first to 5 Finals in row since 1966 Celtics". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 21, 2019.

[cacciola_05202019-62] Cacciola, Scott (May 20, 2019). "Warriors Sweep Blazers to Reach Their 5th Straight N.B.A. Finals". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.

[63] Windhorst, Brian (May 21, 2019). "Peak Stephen Curry was unleashed in the Western Conference finals". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2019.

[65] Strauss, Ethan (June 10, 2019). "Anger. Sadness. Victory. Game 5 had it all as the Warriors' title hopes stay alive and they mourn Kevin Durant's injury". The Athletic. Retrieved June 23, 2019. When the Hamptons 5 starting lineup was announced, the series suddenly felt new.

[66] Stein, Marc (June 14, 2019). "After the Injuries, What's Next for the Warriors?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2019.

[67] Carroll, Charlotte (June 30, 2019). "Durant's 'The Boardroom' Gains Thousands of Followers With Free Agency Announcement". SI.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.

[68] "Klay accepts max offer, will remain with Warriors". ESPN.com. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.

[69] Lowe, Zach (July 2, 2019). "Why the collapse of the Warriors feels so abrupt". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 10, 2019.

[70] "Warriors Acquire All-Star Guard D'Angelo Russell From Brooklyn Nets". NBA.com. July 7, 2019.

[71] Shelburne, Ramona (June 2, 2022). "NBA Finals 2022: The grueling, expensive and risky reconstruction of the Golden State Warriors". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

[72] Poole, Monty (July 19, 2019). "Why Warriors will retire Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala's jersey numbers". NBCSports.com. Retrieved January 21, 2020.

[73] Fridell, Nick (December 27, 2019). "The Hamptons One: How Draymond Green is navigating his new Warriors world". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 21, 2020.

[74] Call, Tommy III (August 14, 2020). "Report: Steph Curry and Klay Thompson linked up for a recent workout together". USA Today. Retrieved November 16, 2020.

[75] "Steph Curry believes Warriors' 15–50 year was blessing in disguise". NBCSports.com. July 11, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.

[76] "Stephen Curry wins NBA Finals MVP for 1st time in his career". NBA.com. June 16, 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[a]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

[73]

[74]

[75]

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
  | image4 = Andre Iguodala 2016 (cropped).jpg
  | caption4 = [[Andre Iguodala]]
- | image5 = Kevin Durant Warriors 2019 (cropped) (cropped).jpg
+ | image5 = Kevin Durant (Wizards v. Warriors, 1-24-2019) (cropped).jpg
  | caption5= [[Kevin Durant]]
  | image6 = Harrison Barnes with Warriors 2016.jpg
  | caption6 = [[Harrison Barnes]]
 }}
-The '''Death Lineup''' was a lineup of smaller [[basketball]] players on the [[Golden State Warriors]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) from 2014 to 2019. Developed under head coach [[Steve Kerr]], it began during their 2014–15 run that led to an [[NBA championship]]. Unlike typical [[small ball (basketball)|small-ball]] units, this group of Warriors was versatile enough to defend larger opponents, while also aiming to create mismatches on offense with their shooting and playmaking skills.<ref name=tjarks_09062016>{{cite news|last=Tjarks|first=Jonathan|title=The NBA's New Lineups of Death|date=September 6, 2016|work=The Ringer|url=https://theringer.com/the-nbas-new-lineups-of-death-7e52303954a1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610033013/https://theringer.com/the-nbas-new-lineups-of-death-7e52303954a1|archive-date=June 10, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=slater_05152016>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=A clash of styles: The Thunder's big lineup against the Warriors' small-ball unit|date=May 15, 2016|newspaper=The Oklahoman|url=http://newsok.com/article/5498376|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620234728/http://newsok.com/article/5498376|archive-date=June 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=dubin_03072018>{{cite news|last=Dubin|first=Jared|title=Golden State's Death Lineup Has Been DOA on Defense|date=March 7, 2018|work=Vice Sports|url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/437ead/golden-states-death-lineup-has-been-doa-on-defense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313130130/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/437ead/golden-states-death-lineup-has-been-doa-on-defense|archive-date=March 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The '''Death Lineup''' was a lineup of [[basketball]] players on the [[Golden State Warriors]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) from 2014 to 2019. Developed under head coach [[Steve Kerr]], it began during their 2014–15 run that led to an [[NBA championship]]. Unlike typical [[small ball (basketball)|small-ball]] units, this group of Warriors was versatile enough to defend larger opponents, while also aiming to create mismatches on offense with their shooting and playmaking skills.<ref name=tjarks_09062016>{{cite news|last=Tjarks|first=Jonathan|title=The NBA's New Lineups of Death|date=September 6, 2016|work=The Ringer|url=https://theringer.com/the-nbas-new-lineups-of-death-7e52303954a1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610033013/https://theringer.com/the-nbas-new-lineups-of-death-7e52303954a1|archive-date=June 10, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=slater_05152016>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=A clash of styles: The Thunder's big lineup against the Warriors' small-ball unit|date=May 15, 2016|newspaper=The Oklahoman|url=http://newsok.com/article/5498376|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620234728/http://newsok.com/article/5498376|archive-date=June 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=dubin_03072018>{{cite news|last=Dubin|first=Jared|title=Golden State's Death Lineup Has Been DOA on Defense|date=March 7, 2018|work=Vice Sports|url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/437ead/golden-states-death-lineup-has-been-doa-on-defense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313130130/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/437ead/golden-states-death-lineup-has-been-doa-on-defense|archive-date=March 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
-The lineup featured the [[Splash Brothers]], a [[Three-point field goal|three-point shooting]] backcourt consisting of two-time [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA MVP]] [[Stephen Curry]], and perennial two-way All-Star [[Klay Thompson]]. It also featured versatile defender and 2015 NBA Finals MVP [[Andre Iguodala]] on the [[Swingman|wing]] alongside scorer and one-time MVP [[Kevin Durant]], and 2016–17 [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]] [[Draymond Green]] at [[Center (basketball)|center]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-death-lineup-game-5-finals-2017-6|title=The Warriors waited until the right moment to unleash their greatest weapon, and the Cavs had no answer|work=Business Insider|access-date=August 6, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806182931/http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-death-lineup-game-5-finals-2017-6|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Green's defensive versatility was described as the "key" that allowed the lineup to be so effective; although his natural position was [[Power forward (basketball)|power forward]], he was able to play as an undersized center in lieu of a traditional center who might have been slower or lacked the playmaking and shooting abilities of Green.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.warriorsworld.net/2016/02/03/draymond-green-drives-the-golden-state-machine/|title=How Draymond Green Drives the Golden State Machine – Warriors World|last=Tsan|first=Pin|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621171654/http://www.warriorsworld.net/2016/02/03/draymond-green-drives-the-golden-state-machine/|archive-date=June 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/golden-state-warriors/post/_/id/1313/draymond-green-as-the-top-center-its-no-joke|title=Warriors' Draymond Green as NBA's top center? It's no joke|work=ESPN.com|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704130615/http://www.espn.com/blog/golden-state-warriors/post/_/id/1313/draymond-green-as-the-top-center-its-no-joke|archive-date=July 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The lineup originally included [[Harrison Barnes]], who was replaced by former league MVP Durant in 2016–17, when the group also began to be known as the "'''Hamptons Five'''".<ref name="mercurynews.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/05/warriors-monday-mailbag-whats-up-with-the-center-spot-death-lineup-overuse/|title=Warriors Monday Mailbag: What's up with the center spot? Death lineup overuse?|date=December 5, 2016|website=mercurynews.com|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126125545/https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/05/warriors-monday-mailbag-whats-up-with-the-center-spot-death-lineup-overuse/|archive-date=January 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-power-rankings-warriors-back-180711375.html|title=NBA Power Rankings: Warriors back into top spot, Raptors up to third|website=yahoo.com|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126071242/https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-power-rankings-warriors-back-180711375.html|archive-date=January 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The lineup featured the [[Splash Brothers]], a [[Three-point field goal|three-point shooting]] backcourt consisting of two-time [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA MVP]] [[Stephen Curry]], and perennial two-way All-Star [[Klay Thompson]]. It also featured versatile defender and 2015 NBA Finals MVP [[Andre Iguodala]] on the [[Swingman|wing]] alongside scorer [[Kevin Durant]], and 2016–17 [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]] [[Draymond Green]] at [[Center (basketball)|center]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-death-lineup-game-5-finals-2017-6|title=The Warriors waited until the right moment to unleash their greatest weapon, and the Cavs had no answer|work=Business Insider|access-date=August 6, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806182931/http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-death-lineup-game-5-finals-2017-6|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Green's defensive versatility was described as the "key" that allowed the lineup to be so effective; although his natural position was [[Power forward (basketball)|power forward]], he was able to play as an undersized center in lieu of a traditional center who might have been slower or lacked the playmaking and shooting abilities of Green.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.warriorsworld.net/2016/02/03/draymond-green-drives-the-golden-state-machine/|title=How Draymond Green Drives the Golden State Machine – Warriors World|last=Tsan|first=Pin|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621171654/http://www.warriorsworld.net/2016/02/03/draymond-green-drives-the-golden-state-machine/|archive-date=June 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/golden-state-warriors/post/_/id/1313/draymond-green-as-the-top-center-its-no-joke|title=Warriors' Draymond Green as NBA's top center? It's no joke|work=ESPN.com|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704130615/http://www.espn.com/blog/golden-state-warriors/post/_/id/1313/draymond-green-as-the-top-center-its-no-joke|archive-date=July 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The lineup originally included [[Harrison Barnes]], who was replaced in 2016–17 by former league MVP and four-time [[List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders|scoring champion]] Durant; the new group began to be known as the "'''Hamptons Five'''".<ref name="mercurynews.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/05/warriors-monday-mailbag-whats-up-with-the-center-spot-death-lineup-overuse/|title=Warriors Monday Mailbag: What's up with the center spot? Death lineup overuse?|date=December 5, 2016|website=mercurynews.com|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126125545/https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/05/warriors-monday-mailbag-whats-up-with-the-center-spot-death-lineup-overuse/|archive-date=January 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-power-rankings-warriors-back-180711375.html|title=NBA Power Rankings: Warriors back into top spot, Raptors up to third|website=yahoo.com|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126071242/https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-power-rankings-warriors-back-180711375.html|archive-date=January 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
-The Death Lineup was considered to be indicative of a larger overall trend in the NBA towards "positionless" basketball, where traditional position assignments and roles have less importance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/article/239916/The-Epitome-Of-Positionless-Basketball|title=The Epitome Of Positionless Basketball – RealGM Articles|website=basketball.realgm.com|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810092020/https://basketball.realgm.com/article/239916/The-Epitome-Of-Positionless-Basketball|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2017/07/28/orlando-magic-embracing-positionless-basketball/|title=The Orlando Magic are embracing positionless basketball|date=July 28, 2017|website=Orlando Magic Daily|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810130402/https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2017/07/28/orlando-magic-embracing-positionless-basketball/|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ed-graney/positionless-basketball-defines-nbas-copycat-nature/|title=Positionless basketball defines NBA's copycat nature|date=July 15, 2017|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=August 10, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810091824/https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ed-graney/positionless-basketball-defines-nbas-copycat-nature/|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The Death Lineup was considered to be indicative of a larger overall trend in the NBA towards "positionless" basketball, where traditional position assignments and roles have less importance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/article/239916/The-Epitome-Of-Positionless-Basketball|title=The Epitome Of Positionless Basketball – RealGM Articles|website=basketball.realgm.com|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810092020/https://basketball.realgm.com/article/239916/The-Epitome-Of-Positionless-Basketball|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2017/07/28/orlando-magic-embracing-positionless-basketball/|title=The Orlando Magic are embracing positionless basketball|date=July 28, 2017|website=Orlando Magic Daily|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810130402/https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2017/07/28/orlando-magic-embracing-positionless-basketball/|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ed-graney/positionless-basketball-defines-nbas-copycat-nature/|title=Positionless basketball defines NBA's copycat nature|date=July 15, 2017|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=August 10, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810091824/https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ed-graney/positionless-basketball-defines-nbas-copycat-nature/|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Their time together ended after the 2018–19 season, when Durant became a [[free agent (NBA)|free agent]] and decided not to rejoin the Warriors and Iguodala was traded.
-The Death Lineup ended after the 2018–19 season, when Durant left the Warriors for the [[Brooklyn Nets]] and Iguodala was traded to the [[Memphis Grizzlies]].
 ==Origins and first championship==
 [[File:1 steve kerr 2019 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Golden State Warriors]] head coach [[Steve Kerr]] in 2019]]
-In [[2014–15 Golden State Warriors season|2014–15]], Golden State won 67 games in the regular season, led by [[NBA MVP]] [[Stephen Curry]]. The Warriors' starting lineup with the {{convert|7|ft|adj=on}} [[Andrew Bogut]] at [[center (basketball)|center]] played 813 minutes together and outscored opponents by 19.6 points per 100 possessions. After falling behind 2–1 in the [[2015 NBA Finals]], Warriors coach [[Steve Kerr]] inserted [[Andre Iguodala]] into the starting lineup in place of Bogut, who had been named to [[NBA All-Defensive Team]] in 2015.<ref name="golliver_06122016">{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Warriors start small, then stay small, to blow out Cavs and even NBA Finals|date=June 12, 2015|work=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/12/steve-kerr-nba-finals-andre-iguodala-lebron-james-game-4-warriors-cavaliers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521141920/https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/12/steve-kerr-nba-finals-andre-iguodala-lebron-james-game-4-warriors-cavaliers|archive-date=May 21, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>  [[Draymond Green]] moved from power forward to center, while Iguodala and [[Harrison Barnes]], both traditional [[small forward]]s, were the forwards. The adjustment surrendered size and strength for speed and playmaking.<ref name=thompson2021/> The change was first suggested by Kerr's special assistant, Nick U'Ren, who was a fan of the lineup because it always seemed to pick up the pace of the game to a faster speed, which the Warriors preferred.<ref name=arnovitz_10142015/><ref name=kawakami_06033016>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title=Nick U'Ren on the "Death Lineup" and what it does for the Warriors: "It works because there are no other players like those guys"|date=June 3, 2016|newspaper=The San Jose Mercury News|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/03/nick-uren/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219031301/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/03/nick-uren/|archive-date=February 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He had also been watching video of the [[2014 NBA Finals]], when the series turned after [[San Antonio Spurs]] coach [[Gregg Popovich]] increased the tempo by switching to a small-ball lineup with the {{convert|6|ft|8|in|adj=on}} [[Boris Diaw]] at center. The Spurs defeated the [[Miami Heat]] and [[LeBron James]], who was now back with Cleveland facing Golden State. U'Ren anticipated that Iguodala would have the same impact for the Warriors.<ref name=kawakami_06033016/><ref name=simmons_12292019/>
+In [[2014–15 Golden State Warriors season|2014–15]], Golden State won 67 games in the regular season, led by [[NBA MVP]] [[Stephen Curry]]. The Warriors' starting lineup with the {{convert|7|ft|adj=on}} [[Andrew Bogut]] at [[center (basketball)|center]] played 813 minutes together and outscored opponents by 19.6 points per 100 possessions. After falling behind 2–1 in the [[2015 NBA Finals]], Warriors coach [[Steve Kerr]] inserted [[Andre Iguodala]] into the starting lineup in place of Bogut, who had been named to [[NBA All-Defensive Team]] in 2015.<ref name="golliver_06122016">{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Warriors start small, then stay small, to blow out Cavs and even NBA Finals|date=June 12, 2015|work=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/12/steve-kerr-nba-finals-andre-iguodala-lebron-james-game-4-warriors-cavaliers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521141920/https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/12/steve-kerr-nba-finals-andre-iguodala-lebron-james-game-4-warriors-cavaliers|archive-date=May 21, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>  [[Draymond Green]] moved from power forward to center, while Iguodala and [[Harrison Barnes]], both traditional [[small forward]]s, were the forwards. The adjustment surrendered size and strength for speed and playmaking.<ref name=thompson2021/> The change was first suggested by Kerr's special assistant, Nick U'Ren, who was a fan of the lineup because it always seemed to pick up the pace of the game to a faster speed, which the Warriors preferred.<ref name=arnovitz_10142015/><ref name=kawakami_06033016>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title=Nick U'Ren on the "Death Lineup" and what it does for the Warriors: "It works because there are no other players like those guys"|date=June 3, 2016|newspaper=The San Jose Mercury News|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/03/nick-uren/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219031301/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/03/nick-uren/|archive-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> He had also been watching video of the [[2014 NBA Finals]], when the series turned after [[San Antonio Spurs]] coach [[Gregg Popovich]] increased the tempo by switching to a small-ball lineup with the {{convert|6|ft|8|in|adj=on}} [[Boris Diaw]] at center. The Spurs defeated the [[Miami Heat]] and [[LeBron James]], who was now back with Cleveland facing Golden State. U'Ren anticipated that Iguodala would have the same impact for the Warriors.<ref name=kawakami_06033016/><ref name=simmons_12292019/>
-The five-man lineup of Iguodala, Curry, Thompson, Green, and Barnes had played together for 102 minutes during the regular season and 62 minutes through the first 18 games of the playoffs.<ref name=arnovitz_10142015/> Although the tallest player was only {{convert|6|ft|8|in}}, the unit was also strong defensively.<ref name="greenberg_05122016" />  They were all able to [[switch (basketball)|switch]] on defense,<ref name="alipour_12082015">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/14314860/stephen-curry-small-ball-mj-gunning-record-books|title=Stephen Curry on copying the Warriors' way: 'You won't have the personnel'|last=Alipour|first=Sam|date=December 8, 2015|work=ESPN The Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612083333/http://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/14314860/stephen-curry-small-ball-mj-gunning-record-books|archive-date=June 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> spearheaded by Green's ability to guard players taller and heavier than him.<ref name="greenberg_05122016">{{cite news|last=Greenberg|first=Neil|title=No one can stop the Warriors' small-ball lineup|date=May 12, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2016/05/12/no-one-can-stop-the-warriors-small-ball-lineup/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806184829/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2016/05/12/no-one-can-stop-the-warriors-small-ball-lineup/|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lowe|first=Zach|title=One year later, Draymond Green has no regrets|date=June 9, 2017|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19581798/zach-lowe-golden-state-warriors-forgiving-draymond-green-2017-nba-finals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611003809/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19581798/zach-lowe-golden-state-warriors-forgiving-draymond-green-2017-nba-finals|archive-date=June 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Warriors won 103–82 in Game 4,<ref name="golliver_06122016" /> and captured the series 4–2 to win their first championship since [[1975 NBA Finals|1975]].<ref name="kawakami_06012016">{{cite news|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/01/death-lineup-unleashed-cleveland-last-years-finals-probably-will-time/|title=How the Warriors' "Death Lineup" was unleashed on Cleveland in last year's Finals, and probably will be again this time|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|date=June 1, 2016|newspaper=The San Jose Mercury News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806180648/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/01/death-lineup-unleashed-cleveland-last-years-finals-probably-will-time/|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the last three games, they defeated the Cavaliers by a combined 42 points, and the new starting unit outscored Cleveland 107–87 in their 49 minutes together.<ref name=arnovitz_10142015/> Iguodala was named the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]], becoming the first player to garner the award without starting every game in the series,<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Ethan Sherwood |title=Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series |date=June 16, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096860/andre-iguodala-golden-state-warriors-named-nba-finals-mvp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618102455/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096860/andre-iguodala-golden-state-warriors-named-nba-finals-mvp |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> as well as the first winner to have not started a game during the regular season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sarecevic|first=Al|title=Andre Iguodala: unlikely Finals MVP|date=June 17, 2015|newspaper=The San Francisco Chronicle|url=http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Iguodala-Unlikely-Finals-MVP-6331753.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629191313/http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Iguodala-Unlikely-Finals-MVP-6331753.php|archive-date=June 29, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The five-man lineup of Iguodala, Curry, Thompson, Green, and Barnes had played together for 102 minutes during the regular season and 62 minutes through the first 18 games of the playoffs.<ref name=arnovitz_10142015/> Although the tallest player was only {{convert|6|ft|8|in}}, the unit was also strong defensively.<ref name="greenberg_05122016" />  They were all able to [[switch (basketball)|switch]] on defense,<ref name="alipour_12082015">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/14314860/stephen-curry-small-ball-mj-gunning-record-books|title=Stephen Curry on copying the Warriors' way: 'You won't have the personnel'|last=Alipour|first=Sam|date=December 8, 2015|work=ESPN The Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612083333/http://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/14314860/stephen-curry-small-ball-mj-gunning-record-books|archive-date=June 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> spearheaded by Green's ability to guard players taller and heavier than him.<ref name="greenberg_05122016">{{cite news|last=Greenberg|first=Neil|title=No one can stop the Warriors' small-ball lineup|date=May 12, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2016/05/12/no-one-can-stop-the-warriors-small-ball-lineup/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806184829/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2016/05/12/no-one-can-stop-the-warriors-small-ball-lineup/|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lowe|first=Zach|title=One year later, Draymond Green has no regrets|date=June 9, 2017|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19581798/zach-lowe-golden-state-warriors-forgiving-draymond-green-2017-nba-finals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611003809/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19581798/zach-lowe-golden-state-warriors-forgiving-draymond-green-2017-nba-finals|archive-date=June 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Warriors won 103–82 in Game 4,<ref name="golliver_06122016" /> and captured the series 4–2 to win their first championship since [[1975 NBA Finals|1975]].<ref name="kawakami_06012016">{{cite news|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/01/death-lineup-unleashed-cleveland-last-years-finals-probably-will-time/|title=How the Warriors' "Death Lineup" was unleashed on Cleveland in last year's Finals, and probably will be again this time|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|date=June 1, 2016|newspaper=The San Jose Mercury News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806180648/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2016/06/01/death-lineup-unleashed-cleveland-last-years-finals-probably-will-time/|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the last three games, they defeated the Cavaliers by a combined 42 points, and the new starting unit outscored Cleveland 107–87 in their 49 minutes together.<ref name=arnovitz_10142015/> Iguodala was named the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]], becoming the first player to garner the award without starting every game in the series,<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Ethan Sherwood |title=Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series |date=June 16, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096860/andre-iguodala-golden-state-warriors-named-nba-finals-mvp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618102455/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096860/andre-iguodala-golden-state-warriors-named-nba-finals-mvp |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as the first winner to have not started a game during the regular season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sarecevic|first=Al|title=Andre Iguodala: unlikely Finals MVP|date=June 17, 2015|newspaper=The San Francisco Chronicle|url=http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Iguodala-Unlikely-Finals-MVP-6331753.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629191313/http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Iguodala-Unlikely-Finals-MVP-6331753.php|archive-date=June 29, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==73-win record==
-It was not until months after it was deployed in the Finals that the Warriors small lineup was referred to as the ''Death Lineup'',<ref name=thompson2021>{{cite book|first=Marcus, II|last=Thompson|title=Dynasties: The 10 G.O.A.T. Teams That Changed the NBA Forever|year=2021|publisher=Running Press|pages=294–295|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SBYbEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT294|access-date=June 4, 2022|isbn=9780762496280|via=Google Books|quote=The following season birthed what NBA writer Vincent Goodwill coined the Death Lineup.}}</ref><ref name=arnovitz_10142015>{{cite news|last=Arnovitz|first=Kevin|title=How the Warriors discovered the cheat code to basketball in the 2015 NBA Finals|date=October 14, 2015|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15062110/warriors-discovered-cheat-code-basketball-nba-finals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170002/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15062110/warriors-discovered-cheat-code-basketball-nba-finals|archive-date=October 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=jenkins_06072016>{{cite news|last=Jenkins|first=Lee|title=The birth of the Warriors' death lineup|date=June 7, 2016|work=Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-nba-finals-cleveland-cavaliers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615211044/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-nba-finals-cleveland-cavaliers|archive-date=June 15, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> a phrase originated by Vincent Goodwill, then of ''[[The Detroit News]]''.<ref name=thompson2021/><ref name=simmons_12292019>{{cite news|first=Rusty|last=Simmons|title=Memorable moments: Warriors' dynasty takes flight with a bold decision|work=San Franciago Chronicle|date=December 29, 2019|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Memorable-moments-The-Warriors-dynasty-takes-14938158.php|access-date=June 4, 2022|quote=The Warriors simply called the half-closing unit their small lineup, but Vincent Goodwill, then of the Detroit News, coined the phrase 'Death Lineup.'}}</ref> Despite the unit's success, the [[2015–16 Golden State Warriors season|2015–16 Warriors]] continued to start a traditional lineup with Bogut as their center.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Scott|title=The NBA is still trying to solve the Warriors' deadliest weapon|date=February 12, 2016|work=Business Insider|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-small-ball-lineup-cant-be-solved-2016-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423144516/http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-small-ball-lineup-cant-be-solved-2016-2|archive-date=April 23, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Golden State won an NBA-record 73 games behind Curry's league-leading 30.1 points per game and an NBA-record 402 three-pointers made in a season. He was named the MVP for the second straight season, becoming the first unanimous winner in league history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warriors' Stephen Curry first player to win unanimous MVP|date=May 10, 2016|website=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/05/10/stephen-curry-unanimous-mvp-golden-state-warriors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806183545/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/05/10/stephen-curry-unanimous-mvp-golden-state-warriors|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> During the season, the Death Lineup was generally reserved to finish the first half and the end of games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lou|first=William|title=Kerr: Warriors will play Death Lineup with Durant at power forward|date=September 4, 2016|work=TheScore|url=https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1092473-kerr-warriors-will-play-death-lineup-with-durant-at-power-forward|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thescore.com%2Fnba%2Fnews%2F1092473-kerr-warriors-will-play-death-lineup-with-durant-at-power-forward&date=2017-06-10|archive-date=June 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>  It was deployed in 37 games, outscoring opponents by 166 points in 172 minutes for an average advantage of 4.5 points per game and 47.0 points per 100 possessions.<ref name=kawakami_06012016/><ref name=jenkins_06072016/><ref>{{cite news|last=Wagner|first=Kyle|title=The Warriors Aren't A Small-Ball Team Anymore|date=June 1, 2017|work=FiveThirtyEight|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-warriors-arent-a-small-ball-team-anymore/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601165027/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-warriors-arent-a-small-ball-team-anymore/|archive-date=June 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=Examining five early season Warriors trends by the numbers|date=October 31, 2016|newspaper=The San Jose Mercury News|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/31/examining-five-early-season-warriors-trends-by-the-numbers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502183739/http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/31/examining-five-early-season-warriors-trends-by-the-numbers/|archive-date=May 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite their regular season success, the Warriors lost the [[2016 NBA Finals]], becoming the first team to lose a Finals series after being ahead 3–1.<ref name="price_07044016">{{cite news|last=Price|first=Dwayne|title=Mavericks back in business with Warriors exes Bogut, Barnes on board|date=July 4, 2016|newspaper=Star-Telegram|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article87588567.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008192803/http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article87588567.html|archive-date=October 8, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
+It was not until months after it was deployed in the Finals that the Warriors small lineup was referred to as the ''Death Lineup'',<ref name=thompson2021>{{cite book|first=Marcus II|last=Thompson|title=Dynasties: The 10 G.O.A.T. Teams That Changed the NBA Forever|year=2021|publisher=Running Press|pages=294–295|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SBYbEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT294|access-date=June 4, 2022|isbn=9780762496280|via=Google Books|quote=The following season birthed what NBA writer Vincent Goodwill coined the Death Lineup.}}</ref><ref name=arnovitz_10142015>{{cite news|last=Arnovitz|first=Kevin|title=How the Warriors discovered the cheat code to basketball in the 2015 NBA Finals|date=October 14, 2015|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15062110/warriors-discovered-cheat-code-basketball-nba-finals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170002/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15062110/warriors-discovered-cheat-code-basketball-nba-finals|archive-date=October 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=jenkins_06072016>{{cite magazine|last=Jenkins|first=Lee|title=The birth of the Warriors' death lineup|date=June 7, 2016|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-nba-finals-cleveland-cavaliers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615211044/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-nba-finals-cleveland-cavaliers|archive-date=June 15, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> a phrase originated by Vincent Goodwill, then of ''[[The Detroit News]]''.<ref name=thompson2021/><ref name=simmons_12292019>{{cite news|first=Rusty|last=Simmons|title=Memorable moments: Warriors' dynasty takes flight with a bold decision|work=San Franciago Chronicle|date=December 29, 2019|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Memorable-moments-The-Warriors-dynasty-takes-14938158.php|access-date=June 4, 2022|quote=The Warriors simply called the half-closing unit their small lineup, but Vincent Goodwill, then of the Detroit News, coined the phrase 'Death Lineup.'}}</ref> Despite the unit's success, the [[2015–16 Golden State Warriors season|2015–16 Warriors]] continued to start a traditional lineup with Bogut as their center.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Scott|title=The NBA is still trying to solve the Warriors' deadliest weapon|date=February 12, 2016|work=Business Insider|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-small-ball-lineup-cant-be-solved-2016-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423144516/http://www.businessinsider.com/warriors-small-ball-lineup-cant-be-solved-2016-2|archive-date=April 23, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Golden State won an NBA-record 73 games behind Curry's league-leading 30.1 points per game and an NBA-record 402 three-pointers made in a season. He was named the MVP for the second straight season, becoming the first unanimous winner in league history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warriors' Stephen Curry first player to win unanimous MVP|date=May 10, 2016|website=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/05/10/stephen-curry-unanimous-mvp-golden-state-warriors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806183545/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/05/10/stephen-curry-unanimous-mvp-golden-state-warriors|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> During the season, the Death Lineup was generally reserved to finish the first half and the end of games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lou|first=William|title=Kerr: Warriors will play Death Lineup with Durant at power forward|date=September 4, 2016|work=TheScore|url=https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1092473-kerr-warriors-will-play-death-lineup-with-durant-at-power-forward|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240528044554/https://www.webcitation.org/6r70J6sfG?url=https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1092473-kerr-warriors-will-play-death-lineup-with-durant-at-power-forward|archive-date=May 28, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>  It was deployed in 37 games, outscoring opponents by 166 points in 172 minutes for an average advantage of 4.5 points per game and 47.0 points per 100 possessions.<ref name=kawakami_06012016/><ref name=jenkins_06072016/><ref>{{cite news|last=Wagner|first=Kyle|title=The Warriors Aren't A Small-Ball Team Anymore|date=June 1, 2017|work=FiveThirtyEight|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-warriors-arent-a-small-ball-team-anymore/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601165027/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-warriors-arent-a-small-ball-team-anymore/|archive-date=June 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=Examining five early season Warriors trends by the numbers|date=October 31, 2016|newspaper=The San Jose Mercury News|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/31/examining-five-early-season-warriors-trends-by-the-numbers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502183739/http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/31/examining-five-early-season-warriors-trends-by-the-numbers/|archive-date=May 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite their regular season success, the Warriors lost the [[2016 NBA Finals]], becoming the first team to lose a Finals series after being ahead 3–1.<ref name="price_07044016">{{cite news|last=Price|first=Dwayne|title=Mavericks back in business with Warriors exes Bogut, Barnes on board|date=July 4, 2016|newspaper=Star-Telegram|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article87588567.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008192803/http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article87588567.html|archive-date=October 8, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Hamptons Five==
-During the off-season, Golden State signed former league MVP and four-time scoring champion [[Kevin Durant]] to replace [[Harrison Barnes]], who had averaged just five points and made only 5 of 32 shots during the last three losses in the Finals.<ref name="price_07044016" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Grades: Warriors outdo themselves with Kevin Durant blockbuster deal|date=July 4, 2016|website=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/04/kevin-durant-warriors-thunder-nba-free-agency-contract-grades-stephen-curry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620182905/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/04/kevin-durant-warriors-thunder-nba-free-agency-contract-grades-stephen-curry|archive-date=June 20, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> With Durant leaving the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]], the Warriors' opponents in the [[2016 NBA Playoffs|2016 Western Conference Finals]], the move was seen as a disruption in the competitive balance of the NBA, and the Warriors instantly became title favorites.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/12/kevin-durant-warriors-superteam-black-lives-matter-bathroom-law-fouls|title=KD to Warriors bad for NBA? Adam Silver chimes in|last=Golliver|first=Ben|work=SI.com|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806183337/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/12/kevin-durant-warriors-superteam-black-lives-matter-bathroom-law-fouls|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/kevin-durants-decision-makes-warriors-odds-on-nba-title-favorites/|title=Kevin Durant's decision makes Warriors odds-on NBA title favorites|date=July 4, 2016|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=August 6, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806182123/https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/kevin-durants-decision-makes-warriors-odds-on-nba-title-favorites/|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The move gave the Death Lineup four players who have averaged at least five [[assist (basketball)|assists]] in a season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ruiz|first=Steven|title=The Warriors new 'Death Lineup' is going to terrorize the NBA|date=July 4, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-kevin-durant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610025000/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-kevin-durant|archive-date=June 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> While Barnes was a good defender, Durant also added a [[blocked shot|shot-blocking]] element to their switching defense.<ref name=thompson2021/> [[San Francisco Bay Area]] journalist [[Tim Kawakami]] coined the nickname "Hamptons Five" for the new group, which included the four players who traveled with team officials to [[The Hamptons]] to recruit Durant.<ref name="mercurynews.com"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eWg3DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28|title=Golden Days: West's Lakers, Steph's Warriors, and the California Dreamers who Reinvented Basketball|first=Jack|last=McCallum|page=28|year=2017|publisher=Ballantine Books|access-date=January 25, 2018|via=Google Books|isbn=9780399179075}}</ref><ref name=stein_05072018/> Durant was impressed that all four players showed up and respected his play. They convinced Durant that he was wanted even though they had already won a championship and came within a game of winning a second.  Curry, asked by Durant why he wanted him to join, assured him that he was focused on winning and not concerned with being the face of the franchise, despite being the two-time defending league MVP.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title='Why do you want me?' An oral history of Kevin Durant's July 2016 Hamptons meeting with the Warriors|date=June 3, 2018|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/353318/2018/06/03/why-do-you-want-me-an-oral-history-of-kevin-durants-july-2016-hamptons-meeting-with-the-warriors/|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> The Warriors won the [[2017 NBA Finals]] 4–1, and Durant was unanimously voted the Finals MVP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/13/kevin-durant-earns-finals-mvp|title=Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant claims Finals MVP|last=Blinebury|first=Fran|website=NBA.com|language=en|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806190218/http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/13/kevin-durant-earns-finals-mvp|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Kerr had used the Death Lineup for just 16 minutes in the series until deploying it for 17 in the Game 5 clincher.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wagner|first1=Kyle|last2=Herring|first2=Chris|title=They Are Kevin Durant's Warriors Now|date=June 13, 2017|work=FiveThirtyEight|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/they-are-kevin-durants-warriors-now/?addata=espn:frontpage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218202842/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/they-are-kevin-durants-warriors-now/?addata=espn:frontpage|archive-date=February 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Iguodala scored 20 points in 38 minutes after averaging less than 30 minutes in the first four games of the series. Kerr used him in the small-ball lineup in lieu of big men [[Zaza Pachulia]] (10 minutes) and  [[JaVale McGee]] (0).<ref>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title=Coaching edge: Steve Kerr's best move of the championship-clinching Game 5|date=June 13, 2017|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/13/coaching-edge-steve-kerrs-best-move-of-the-championship-clinching-game-5/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010023510/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/13/coaching-edge-steve-kerrs-best-move-of-the-championship-clinching-game-5/|archive-date=October 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
+During the off-season, Golden State signed former league MVP and four-time scoring champion [[Kevin Durant]] to replace [[Harrison Barnes]], who had averaged just five points and made only 5 of 32 shots during the last three losses in the 2016 Finals.<ref name="price_07044016" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Grades: Warriors outdo themselves with Kevin Durant blockbuster deal|date=July 4, 2016|website=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/04/kevin-durant-warriors-thunder-nba-free-agency-contract-grades-stephen-curry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620182905/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/04/kevin-durant-warriors-thunder-nba-free-agency-contract-grades-stephen-curry|archive-date=June 20, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> With Durant leaving the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]], the Warriors' opponents in the [[2016 NBA Playoffs|2016 Western Conference Finals]], the move was seen as a disruption in the competitive balance of the NBA, and the Warriors instantly became strong title favorites.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/12/kevin-durant-warriors-superteam-black-lives-matter-bathroom-law-fouls|title=KD to Warriors bad for NBA? Adam Silver chimes in|last=Golliver|first=Ben|work=SI.com|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806183337/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/07/12/kevin-durant-warriors-superteam-black-lives-matter-bathroom-law-fouls|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/kevin-durants-decision-makes-warriors-odds-on-nba-title-favorites/|title=Kevin Durant's decision makes Warriors odds-on NBA title favorites|date=July 4, 2016|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=August 6, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806182123/https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/kevin-durants-decision-makes-warriors-odds-on-nba-title-favorites/|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The move gave the Death Lineup four players who have averaged at least five [[assist (basketball)|assists]] in a season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ruiz|first=Steven|title=The Warriors new 'Death Lineup' is going to terrorize the NBA|date=July 4, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-kevin-durant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610025000/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-kevin-durant|archive-date=June 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> While Barnes was a good defender, Durant also added a [[blocked shot|shot-blocking]] element to their switching defense.<ref name=thompson2021/> [[San Francisco Bay Area]] journalist [[Tim Kawakami]] coined the nickname "Hamptons Five" for the new group, which included the four players who traveled with team officials to [[The Hamptons]] to recruit Durant.<ref name="mercurynews.com"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eWg3DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28|title=Golden Days: West's Lakers, Steph's Warriors, and the California Dreamers who Reinvented Basketball|first=Jack|last=McCallum|page=28|year=2017|publisher=Ballantine Books|access-date=January 25, 2018|via=Google Books|isbn=9780399179075}}</ref><ref name=stein_05072018/> Durant was impressed that all four players showed up and respected his play. They convinced Durant that he was wanted even though they had already won a championship and came within a game of winning a second.  Curry, asked by Durant why he wanted him to join, assured him that he was focused on winning and not concerned with being the face of the franchise, despite being the two-time defending league MVP.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title='Why do you want me?' An oral history of Kevin Durant's July 2016 Hamptons meeting with the Warriors|date=June 3, 2018|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/353318/2018/06/03/why-do-you-want-me-an-oral-history-of-kevin-durants-july-2016-hamptons-meeting-with-the-warriors/|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> The Warriors won the [[2017 NBA Finals]] 4–1, and Durant was unanimously voted the Finals MVP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/13/kevin-durant-earns-finals-mvp|title=Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant claims Finals MVP|last=Blinebury|first=Fran|website=NBA.com|language=en|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806190218/http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/13/kevin-durant-earns-finals-mvp|archive-date=August 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Kerr had used the Death Lineup for just 16 minutes in the series until deploying it for 17 in the Game 5 clincher.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wagner|first1=Kyle|last2=Herring|first2=Chris|title=They Are Kevin Durant's Warriors Now|date=June 13, 2017|work=FiveThirtyEight|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/they-are-kevin-durants-warriors-now/?addata=espn:frontpage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218202842/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/they-are-kevin-durants-warriors-now/?addata=espn:frontpage|archive-date=February 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Iguodala scored 20 points in 38 minutes after averaging less than 30 minutes in the first four games of the series. Kerr used him in the small-ball lineup in lieu of big men [[Zaza Pachulia]] (10 minutes) and  [[JaVale McGee]] (0).<ref>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title=Coaching edge: Steve Kerr's best move of the championship-clinching Game 5|date=June 13, 2017|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/13/coaching-edge-steve-kerrs-best-move-of-the-championship-clinching-game-5/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010023510/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/13/coaching-edge-steve-kerrs-best-move-of-the-championship-clinching-game-5/|archive-date=October 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Injuries limited Golden State's use of the Death Lineup in [[2017–18 Golden State Warriors season|2017–18]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahoney|first=Rob|title=The Warriors' Death Lineup Is on Ice|date=January 5, 2018|work=Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2018/01/05/warriors-stephen-curry-kevin-durant-klay-thompson-stats-schedule|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116003026/https://www.si.com/nba/2018/01/05/warriors-stephen-curry-kevin-durant-klay-thompson-stats-schedule|archive-date=January 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=kawakami_01262018>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title=The Warriors' Death Lineup isn't so revolutionary these days, but it's still the unit opponents fear the most|date=January 26, 2018|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com//222735/2018/01/26/kawakami-the-warriors-death-lineup-isnt-so-revolutionary-these-days-but-its-still-the-unit-opponents-fear-the-most/|url-access=subscription|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227214151/https://theathletic.com//222735/2018/01/26/kawakami-the-warriors-death-lineup-isnt-so-revolutionary-these-days-but-its-still-the-unit-opponents-fear-the-most/|archive-date=February 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Opponents had also adapted by rarely leaving their centers in the game against the Warriors' small lineup. Through 49 games, the unit had a -1.2 [[plus-minus]] rating.<ref name=kawakami_01262018/> However, it was still considered the team's most potent lineup.<ref name=dubin_03072018/><ref name=kawakami_01262018/><ref>{{cite news|last=Kurtenback|first=Dieter|title=What we learned in the Warriors' emphatic win over the Thunder|date=February 25, 2018|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/02/25/golden-state-warriors-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-russell-westbrook-zaza-pachulia-highlights-video-kevin-durant-stephen-curry/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226223647/https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/02/25/golden-state-warriors-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-russell-westbrook-zaza-pachulia-highlights-video-kevin-durant-stephen-curry/|archive-date=February 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final 17 games of the regular season, the Warriors were 7–10 with Curry missing all but one game after an ankle and later a knee injury.  Durant, Thompson, Green, and Iguodala each missed four to eight games as well.<ref>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=Five observations on the Warriors' 119-79 blowout loss in Utah to cap the regular season|date=April 11, 2018|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/307739/2018/04/11/five-observations-on-the-warriors-119-79-blowout-loss-in-utah-to-cap-the-regular-season/|url-access=subscription|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190504/https://theathletic.com/307739/2018/04/11/five-observations-on-the-warriors-119-79-blowout-loss-in-utah-to-cap-the-regular-season/|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, the group finished the regular season with 127 minutes played together over 28 games, outscoring their opponents by a mundane 22 points.<ref>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=Ten stats that define this Warriors season and paint a clearer playoff picture|date=April 9, 2019|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/909045/2019/04/10/ten-stats-that-define-this-warriors-season-and-paint-a-clearer-playoff-picture/|url-access=subscription|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503100635/https://theathletic.com/909045/2019/04/10/ten-stats-that-define-this-warriors-season-and-paint-a-clearer-playoff-picture/|archive-date=May 3, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In Game 4 of the conference semifinals in the [[2018 NBA Playoffs|2018 playoffs]], Kerr started the Hamptons Five with Durant for the first time ever, and they posted a plus-minus of +26 in 18 minutes to lead a 118–92 win over the [[New Orleans Pelicans]], giving Golden State a 3–1 lead in the series.<ref name=stein_05072018>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=To Dominate in New Orleans and Beyond, the Warriors Head to the Hamptons|date=May 7, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/sports/warriors-hamptons-five.html|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507180016/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/sports/warriors-hamptons-five.html|archive-date=May 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>  After eliminating the Pelicans in five games, the Warriors continued with the starting lineup in the conference finals to build a 2–1 series lead against the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Botemps|first=Tim|title=Rockets draw even with Warriors in Western Conference finals|date=May 22, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2018/05/22/nba-playoffs-golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets-game-4/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527222555/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2018/05/22/nba-playoffs-golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets-game-4/|archive-date=May 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Golden State won the series 4–3, but Iguodala missed the last four games with a bruised leg.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warriors reach 4th straight NBA Finals with win over Houston|date=May 29, 2018|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401032767|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529100130/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401032767|archive-date=May 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Warriors entered the NBA Finals for the fourth straight time versus Cleveland. They swept the Cavaliers in four games, leading to their third championship in four years.
+Injuries limited Golden State's use of the Death Lineup in [[2017–18 Golden State Warriors season|2017–18]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mahoney|first=Rob|title=The Warriors' Death Lineup Is on Ice|date=January 5, 2018|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2018/01/05/warriors-stephen-curry-kevin-durant-klay-thompson-stats-schedule|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116003026/https://www.si.com/nba/2018/01/05/warriors-stephen-curry-kevin-durant-klay-thompson-stats-schedule|archive-date=January 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=kawakami_01262018>{{cite news|last=Kawakami|first=Tim|title=The Warriors' Death Lineup isn't so revolutionary these days, but it's still the unit opponents fear the most|date=January 26, 2018|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com//222735/2018/01/26/kawakami-the-warriors-death-lineup-isnt-so-revolutionary-these-days-but-its-still-the-unit-opponents-fear-the-most/|url-access=subscription|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227214151/https://theathletic.com//222735/2018/01/26/kawakami-the-warriors-death-lineup-isnt-so-revolutionary-these-days-but-its-still-the-unit-opponents-fear-the-most/|archive-date=February 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Opponents had also adapted by rarely leaving their centers in the game against the Warriors' small lineup. Through 49 games, the unit had a -1.2 [[Plus–minus (sports)|plus-minus]] rating.<ref name=kawakami_01262018/> However, it was still considered the team's most potent lineup.<ref name=dubin_03072018/><ref name=kawakami_01262018/><ref>{{cite news|last=Kurtenback|first=Dieter|title=What we learned in the Warriors' emphatic win over the Thunder|date=February 25, 2018|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/02/25/golden-state-warriors-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-russell-westbrook-zaza-pachulia-highlights-video-kevin-durant-stephen-curry/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226223647/https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/02/25/golden-state-warriors-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-russell-westbrook-zaza-pachulia-highlights-video-kevin-durant-stephen-curry/|archive-date=February 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final 17 games of the regular season, the Warriors were 7–10 with Curry missing all but one game after an ankle and later a knee injury.  Durant, Thompson, Green, and Iguodala each missed four to eight games as well.<ref>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=Five observations on the Warriors' 119-79 blowout loss in Utah to cap the regular season|date=April 11, 2018|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/307739/2018/04/11/five-observations-on-the-warriors-119-79-blowout-loss-in-utah-to-cap-the-regular-season/|url-access=subscription|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190504/https://theathletic.com/307739/2018/04/11/five-observations-on-the-warriors-119-79-blowout-loss-in-utah-to-cap-the-regular-season/|archive-date=April 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, the group finished the regular season with 127 minutes played together over 28 games, outscoring their opponents by a mundane 22 points.<ref>{{cite news|last=Slater|first=Anthony|title=Ten stats that define this Warriors season and paint a clearer playoff picture|date=April 9, 2019|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/909045/2019/04/10/ten-stats-that-define-this-warriors-season-and-paint-a-clearer-playoff-picture/|url-access=subscription|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503100635/https://theathletic.com/909045/2019/04/10/ten-stats-that-define-this-warriors-season-and-paint-a-clearer-playoff-picture/|archive-date=May 3, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In Game 4 of the conference semifinals in the [[2018 NBA Playoffs|2018 playoffs]], Kerr started the Hamptons Five with Durant for the first time ever, and they posted a plus-minus of +26 in 18 minutes to lead a 118–92 win over the [[New Orleans Pelicans]], giving Golden State a 3–1 lead in the series.<ref name=stein_05072018>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=To Dominate in New Orleans and Beyond, the Warriors Head to the Hamptons|date=May 7, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/sports/warriors-hamptons-five.html|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507180016/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/sports/warriors-hamptons-five.html|archive-date=May 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>  After eliminating the Pelicans in five games, the Warriors continued with the starting lineup in the conference finals to build a 2–1 series lead against the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Botemps|first=Tim|title=Rockets draw even with Warriors in Western Conference finals|date=May 22, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2018/05/22/nba-playoffs-golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets-game-4/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527222555/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2018/05/22/nba-playoffs-golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets-game-4/|archive-date=May 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Golden State won the series 4–3, but Iguodala missed the last four games with a bruised leg.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warriors reach 4th straight NBA Finals with win over Houston|date=May 29, 2018|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401032767|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529100130/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401032767|archive-date=May 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Warriors entered the NBA Finals for the fourth straight time versus Cleveland. They swept the Cavaliers in [[2018 NBA Finals|the series]] in four games, leading to their third championship in four years.
 ==Fifth consecutive Finals==
-In [[2018–19 Golden State Warriors season|2018–19]], the Warriors acquired [[DeMarcus Cousins]], who was recovering from a [[Achilles tendon rupture|ruptured left Achilles]]. He gave Golden State a top-flight, true center for the first time under Kerr, and they became the first team in 42 years with a starting lineup of five All-Stars from the previous season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071352|title=Warriors beat Clippers 112-94; Boogie fouls out of debut|work=ESPN.com|date=January 18, 2019|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502222127/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071352|archive-date=May 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=gorcey_04132019>{{cite news|last=Gorcey|first=Ryan|title=Warriors: Death Lineup makes early appearance against Clippers, turns tide|date=April 13, 2019|newspaper=San Francisco Examiner|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/warriors-death-lineup-makes-early-appearance-against-clippers-turns-tide/|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081048/https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/warriors-death-lineup-makes-early-appearance-against-clippers-turns-tide/|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> While the Hamptons Five played more (178 minutes in 38 games) than in the previous regular season, Kerr played the lineup of Cousins, Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green more (268 minutes in 21 games) to integrate Cousins into his new team.<ref name=gorcey_04132019/> In Game 1 of the opening round of the [[2019 NBA Playoffs|2019 playoffs]], Kerr went to the Hamptons Five early, using them to quell a rally by the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]. The coach called the lineup "the best five-man unit in the league". Cousins finished the game with a -17 plus-minus.<ref>{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Mark|title=NBA playoffs: How Steve Kerr plans to use 'Death Lineup' in post-season run|date=April 14, 2019|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/14/nba-playoffs-how-steve-kerr-plans-to-use-death-lineup-in-post-season-run/|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415122535/https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/14/nba-playoffs-how-steve-kerr-plans-to-use-death-lineup-in-post-season-run/|archive-date=April 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Warriors eliminated the Clippers in six games, but Cousins tore his left [[quadriceps]] in Game 2, and he was initially thought to be out for the remainder of the postseason.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warriors-Rockets II: Everything to know for the must-see sequel|date=April 27, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26575159/warriors-rockets-ii-everything-know-playoffs-see-sequel|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502105129/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26575159/warriors-rockets-ii-everything-know-playoffs-see-sequel|archive-date=May 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In a sign of respect and with an increased urgency, Kerr opened the following round against Houston by starting the Hamptons Five for the first time in the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=Warriors Start Hamptons Five, Showing Urgency in Win Over Rockets|date=April 28, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/28/sports/warriors-rockets-nba-playoffs.html|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081048/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/28/sports/warriors-rockets-nba-playoffs.html|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Helin|first=Kurt|title=After Game 1, Steve Kerr says 'it's a series where we can play more people'|date=May 15, 2019|website=NBCSports.com|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/05/15/after-game-1-steve-kerr-says-its-a-series-where-we-can-play-more-people/|access-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516195401/https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/05/15/after-game-1-steve-kerr-says-its-a-series-where-we-can-play-more-people/|archive-date=May 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Rockets featured two of the top one-on-one, [[pick-and-roll]] players in [[James Harden]] and [[Chris Paul]], and the coach wanted Iguodala's defense in the starting lineup to counter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Feigen|first=Jonathan|title=Warriors' change to 'Hamptons Five' lineup works on both ends|date=April 28, 2019|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Warriors-Hamptons-Five-lineup-works-13802545.php|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081048/https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Warriors-Hamptons-Five-lineup-works-13802545.php|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In Game 2, each member of the lineup scored at least 15 points, the first time for a Warriors starting unit under Kerr, and Golden State jumped to a 2–0 series lead.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=Warriors Are Rolling and Rockets Are Rocked After Game 2|date=May 1, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/sports/golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets.html|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081047/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/sports/golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets.html|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Houston countered the Warriors' small unit by playing forward [[P. J. Tucker]] at center along with four guards, forming a lineup of five shooters all {{convert|6|ft|6|in}} or shorter, and tied the series 2–2.<ref>{{cite news|last=Greenberg|first=Neil|title=Warriors' small ball 'lineup of death' is no longer lethal|date=May 8, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/08/warriors-small-ball-lineup-death-is-no-longer-lethal/?noredirect=on|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Rockets' small lineup offers Warriors' 'Hamptons 5' their toughest test yet in Game 4 win|date=May 7, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/07/rockets-small-lineup-offers-warriors-vaunted-hamptons-their-toughest-test-yet/|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref> In Game 5, Durant suffered a strained right calf and left with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter;<ref name=turbow_05092019>{{cite news|last=Turbow|first=Jason|title=Kevin Durant Pulled From Game 5 Against Rockets With Leg Injury|date=May 9, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/sports/warriors-rockets-kevin-durant-calf-achilles.html|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518175315/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/sports/warriors-rockets-kevin-durant-calf-achilles.html|archive-date=May 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=medina_05102019>{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Mark|title=Warriors know Game 6 will require an extra helping of Curry|date=May 10, 2019|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/10/steph-curry-on-playing-without-kevin-durant-i-have-to-play-well-and-be-aggressive/|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510235912/https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/10/steph-curry-on-playing-without-kevin-durant-i-have-to-play-well-and-be-aggressive/|archive-date=May 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> he was later ruled out indefinitely. With Curry and Thompson struggling with their shooting, Durant had been their best player in the playoffs, averaging a team-leading 35.4 points entering the game.<ref name=turbow_05092019/> However, Curry led Golden State to a Game 5 win after scoring 16 of his 25 points after Durant exited.<ref name=medina_05102019/>  The Warriors captured the series on the road in Game 6, when Thompson scored 21 of his 27 in the first half, and Curry collected all of his 33 points in the second half.<ref>{{cite news|last=Letourneau|first=Connor|title=Stephen Curry's late heroics lift the Warriors to series-clinching Game 6 win|date=May 10, 2019|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Stephen-Curry-s-late-heroics-lift-the-Warriors-13837370.php|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515215503/https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Stephen-Curry-s-late-heroics-lift-the-Warriors-13837370.php|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In [[2018–19 Golden State Warriors season|2018–19]], the Warriors acquired [[DeMarcus Cousins]], who was recovering from a [[Achilles tendon rupture|ruptured left Achilles]]. He gave Golden State a top-flight, true center for the first time under Kerr, and they became the first team in 42 years with a starting lineup of five All-Stars from the previous season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071352|title=Warriors beat Clippers 112-94; Boogie fouls out of debut|work=ESPN.com|date=January 18, 2019|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502222127/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071352|archive-date=May 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=gorcey_04132019>{{cite news|last=Gorcey|first=Ryan|title=Warriors: Death Lineup makes early appearance against Clippers, turns tide|date=April 13, 2019|newspaper=San Francisco Examiner|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/warriors-death-lineup-makes-early-appearance-against-clippers-turns-tide/|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081048/https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/warriors-death-lineup-makes-early-appearance-against-clippers-turns-tide/|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> While the Hamptons Five played more (178 minutes in 38 games) than in the previous regular season, Kerr played the lineup of Cousins, Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green more (268 minutes in 21 games) to integrate Cousins into his new team.<ref name=gorcey_04132019/> In Game 1 of the opening round of the [[2019 NBA Playoffs|2019 playoffs]], Kerr went to the Hamptons Five early, using them to quell a rally by the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]. The coach called the lineup "the best five-man unit in the league". Cousins finished the game with a -17 plus-minus.<ref>{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Mark|title=NBA playoffs: How Steve Kerr plans to use 'Death Lineup' in post-season run|date=April 14, 2019|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/14/nba-playoffs-how-steve-kerr-plans-to-use-death-lineup-in-post-season-run/|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415122535/https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/14/nba-playoffs-how-steve-kerr-plans-to-use-death-lineup-in-post-season-run/|archive-date=April 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Warriors eliminated the Clippers in six games, but Cousins tore his left [[quadriceps]] in Game 2, and he was initially thought to be out for the remainder of the postseason.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warriors-Rockets II: Everything to know for the must-see sequel|date=April 27, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26575159/warriors-rockets-ii-everything-know-playoffs-see-sequel|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502105129/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26575159/warriors-rockets-ii-everything-know-playoffs-see-sequel|archive-date=May 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In a sign of respect and with an increased urgency, Kerr opened the following round against Houston by starting the Hamptons Five for the first time in the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=Warriors Start Hamptons Five, Showing Urgency in Win Over Rockets|date=April 28, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/28/sports/warriors-rockets-nba-playoffs.html|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081048/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/28/sports/warriors-rockets-nba-playoffs.html|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Helin|first=Kurt|title=After Game 1, Steve Kerr says 'it's a series where we can play more people'|date=May 15, 2019|website=NBCSports.com|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/05/15/after-game-1-steve-kerr-says-its-a-series-where-we-can-play-more-people/|access-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516195401/https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/05/15/after-game-1-steve-kerr-says-its-a-series-where-we-can-play-more-people/|archive-date=May 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Rockets featured two of the top one-on-one, [[pick-and-roll]] players in [[James Harden]] and [[Chris Paul]], and the coach wanted Iguodala's defense in the starting lineup to counter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Feigen|first=Jonathan|title=Warriors' change to 'Hamptons Five' lineup works on both ends|date=April 28, 2019|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Warriors-Hamptons-Five-lineup-works-13802545.php|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081048/https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Warriors-Hamptons-Five-lineup-works-13802545.php|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In Game 2, each member of the lineup scored at least 15 points, the first time for a Warriors starting unit under Kerr, and Golden State jumped to a 2–0 series lead.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=Warriors Are Rolling and Rockets Are Rocked After Game 2|date=May 1, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/sports/golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets.html|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508081047/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/sports/golden-state-warriors-houston-rockets.html|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Houston countered the Warriors' small unit by playing forward [[P. J. Tucker]] at center along with four guards, forming a lineup of five shooters all {{convert|6|ft|6|in}} or shorter, and tied the series 2–2.<ref>{{cite news|last=Greenberg|first=Neil|title=Warriors' small ball 'lineup of death' is no longer lethal|date=May 8, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/08/warriors-small-ball-lineup-death-is-no-longer-lethal/?noredirect=on|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Rockets' small lineup offers Warriors' 'Hamptons 5' their toughest test yet in Game 4 win|date=May 7, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/07/rockets-small-lineup-offers-warriors-vaunted-hamptons-their-toughest-test-yet/|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref> In Game 5, Durant suffered a strained right calf and left with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter;<ref name=turbow_05092019>{{cite news|last=Turbow|first=Jason|title=Kevin Durant Pulled From Game 5 Against Rockets With Leg Injury|date=May 9, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/sports/warriors-rockets-kevin-durant-calf-achilles.html|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518175315/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/sports/warriors-rockets-kevin-durant-calf-achilles.html|archive-date=May 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=medina_05102019>{{cite news|last=Medina|first=Mark|title=Warriors know Game 6 will require an extra helping of Curry|date=May 10, 2019|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/10/steph-curry-on-playing-without-kevin-durant-i-have-to-play-well-and-be-aggressive/|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510235912/https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/10/steph-curry-on-playing-without-kevin-durant-i-have-to-play-well-and-be-aggressive/|archive-date=May 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> he was later ruled out indefinitely. With Curry and Thompson struggling with their shooting, Durant had been their best player in the playoffs, averaging a team-leading 35.4 points entering the game.<ref name=turbow_05092019/> However, Curry led Golden State to a Game 5 win after scoring 16 of his 25 points after Durant exited.<ref name=medina_05102019/>  The Warriors captured the series on the road in Game 6, when Thompson scored 21 of his 27 in the first half, and Curry collected all of his 33 points in the second half.<ref>{{cite news|last=Letourneau|first=Connor|title=Stephen Curry's late heroics lift the Warriors to series-clinching Game 6 win|date=May 10, 2019|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Stephen-Curry-s-late-heroics-lift-the-Warriors-13837370.php|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515215503/https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Stephen-Curry-s-late-heroics-lift-the-Warriors-13837370.php|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In the Western Conference finals, Golden State swept the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] 4–0, with three of the wins including comebacks of 15 points or more.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahoney|first=Rob|title=En Route to Fifth Straight Finals, Warriors Show They're the Greatest Comeback Team in NBA History|date=May 21, 2019|work=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/05/21/warriors-trail-blazers-finals-steph-curry-draymond-green-game-4-sweep|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name=friedell_05202019/> After starting nine consecutive games,<ref name=cacciola_05202019/> Iguodala missed the deciding Game 4 with a sore left calf injury from Game 3.<ref name=friedell_05202019/> Curry averaged a series career-high 36.5 points, the highest average by a player in a four-game sweep in NBA history.<ref>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Peak Stephen Curry was unleashed in the Western Conference finals|date=May 21, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=http://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26791489/peak-stephen-curry-was-unleashed-western-conference-finals|access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> He and Green both had triple-doubles in Game 4, becoming the first teammates in NBA playoff history to achieve the feat in the same game.<ref name=friedell_05202019>{{cite news|last=Friedell|first=Nick|title=Warriors first to 5 Finals in row since 1966 Celtics|date=May 20, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=http://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26791178/warriors-first-5-finals-row-1966-celtics|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref> The Warriors became only the second team to reach five straight NBA Finals, joining the [[Boston Celtics]] ([[1957 NBA Finals|1957]]–[[1966 NBA Finals|1966]]).{{efn|The Celtics advanced 10 straight times, winning nine, including eight consecutive.<ref name=cacciola_05202019>{{cite news|last=Cacciola|first=Scott|title=Warriors Sweep Blazers to Reach Their 5th Straight N.B.A. Finals|date=May 20, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/sports/warriors-nba-finals.html|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521084901/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/sports/warriors-nba-finals.html|archive-date=May 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Golden State was down 3–1 in the [[2019 NBA Finals|2019 finals]] to the [[Toronto Raptors]] when Durant returned in Game 5. The Hamptons Five started the game, but Durant [[Achilles tendon rupture|ruptured his right Achilles tendon]] in the second quarter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Strauss|first=Ethan|title=Anger. Sadness. Victory. Game 5 had it all as the Warriors' title hopes stay alive and they mourn Kevin Durant's injury|date=June 10, 2019|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/1021104/2019/06/11/anger-sadness-victory-game-5-had-it-all-as-the-warriors-title-hopes-stay-alive-and-they-mourn-kevin-durants-injury/|access-date=June 23, 2019|url-access=subscription|quote=When the Hamptons 5 starting lineup was announced, the series suddenly felt new.}}</ref> The Warriors lost the series in Game 6, when Thompson [[Anterior cruciate ligament injury|tore the anterior cruciate ligament]] (ACL) in his left knee. Both Durant and Thompson were expected to miss most, if not all, of the following season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=After the Injuries, What's Next for the Warriors?|date=June 14, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/sports/golden-state-warriors-injuries-klay-thompson.html|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref>
+In the Western Conference finals, Golden State swept the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] 4–0, with three of the wins including comebacks of 15 points or more.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahoney|first=Rob|title=En Route to Fifth Straight Finals, Warriors Show They're the Greatest Comeback Team in NBA History|date=May 21, 2019|work=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/05/21/warriors-trail-blazers-finals-steph-curry-draymond-green-game-4-sweep|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name=friedell_05202019/> After starting nine consecutive games,<ref name=cacciola_05202019/> Iguodala missed the deciding Game 4 with a sore left calf injury from Game 3.<ref name=friedell_05202019/> Curry averaged a series career-high 36.5 points, the highest average by a player in a four-game sweep in NBA history.<ref>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Peak Stephen Curry was unleashed in the Western Conference finals|date=May 21, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26791489/peak-stephen-curry-was-unleashed-western-conference-finals|access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> He and Green both had triple-doubles in Game 4, becoming the first teammates in NBA playoff history to achieve the feat in the same game.<ref name=friedell_05202019>{{cite news|last=Friedell|first=Nick|title=Warriors first to 5 Finals in row since 1966 Celtics|date=May 20, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26791178/warriors-first-5-finals-row-1966-celtics|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref> The Warriors became only the second team to reach five straight NBA Finals, joining the [[Boston Celtics]] ([[1957 NBA Finals|1957]]–[[1966 NBA Finals|1966]]).{{efn|The Celtics advanced 10 straight times, winning nine, including eight consecutive.<ref name=cacciola_05202019>{{cite news|last=Cacciola|first=Scott|title=Warriors Sweep Blazers to Reach Their 5th Straight N.B.A. Finals|date=May 20, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/sports/warriors-nba-finals.html|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521084901/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/sports/warriors-nba-finals.html|archive-date=May 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Golden State was down 3–1 in the [[2019 NBA Finals|2019 finals]] to the [[Toronto Raptors]] when Durant returned in Game 5. The Hamptons Five started the game, but Durant [[Achilles tendon rupture|ruptured his right Achilles tendon]] in the second quarter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Strauss|first=Ethan|title=Anger. Sadness. Victory. Game 5 had it all as the Warriors' title hopes stay alive and they mourn Kevin Durant's injury|date=June 10, 2019|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/1021104/2019/06/11/anger-sadness-victory-game-5-had-it-all-as-the-warriors-title-hopes-stay-alive-and-they-mourn-kevin-durants-injury/|access-date=June 23, 2019|url-access=subscription|quote=When the Hamptons 5 starting lineup was announced, the series suddenly felt new.}}</ref> The Warriors lost the series in Game 6, when Thompson [[Anterior cruciate ligament injury|tore the anterior cruciate ligament]] (ACL) in his left knee. Both Durant and Thompson were expected to miss most, if not all, of the following season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=After the Injuries, What's Next for the Warriors?|date=June 14, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/sports/golden-state-warriors-injuries-klay-thompson.html|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref>
 ==Aftermath==
@@ Line 51: / Line 49: @@
 In [[2019–20 Golden State Warriors season|2019–20]], the Warriors moved into their new arena, [[Chase Center]], which includes a hallway featuring drawings of each member of the Hamptons Five.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fridell|first=Nick|title=The Hamptons One: How Draymond Green is navigating his new Warriors world|date=December 27, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28318900/the-hamptons-one-how-draymond-green-navigating-new-warriors-world|access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref> Golden State finished with a league-worst 15–50 record. Thompson missed the entire season rehabbing his injury, and Curry was limited to five games all season after breaking his left hand in October. The Warriors' season ended prematurely due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Tommy III|last=Call|title=Report: Steph Curry and Klay Thompson linked up for a recent workout together|date=August 14, 2020|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/2020/08/14/report-steph-curry-and-klay-thompson-linked-up-for-a-recent-workout-together/|access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Steph Curry believes Warriors' 15–50 year was blessing in disguise|date=July 11, 2020|website=NBCSports.com|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/steph-curry-believes-warriors-15-50-year-could-be-blessing-disguise|access-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref>
-Iguodala returned to the Warriors in 2021, and Thompson made his return the following year after 941 days of missing in action. Curry, Thompson, Green, and Iguodala won the [[2022 NBA Finals]] over the [[2021–22 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]], the Warriors' fourth title in eight years. Curry finally won his first [[NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]], an award that had eluded his career after a record-breaking season and as the leading scorer in the Finals series.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stephen Curry wins NBA Finals MVP for 1st time in his career|date=June 16, 2022|website=NBA.com|url=https://www.nba.com/news/stephen-curry-wins-2022-bill-russell-nba-finals-mvp-award}}</ref>
+Iguodala returned to the Warriors in [[2021–22 Golden State Warriors season|2021–22]], and Thompson made his return in January 2022 after being out for 941 days. The Warriors won the [[2022 NBA Finals]] over the Celtics for Golden State's fourth title in eight years. Curry was awarded his first Finals MVP.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stephen Curry wins NBA Finals MVP for 1st time in his career|date=June 16, 2022|website=NBA.com|url=https://www.nba.com/news/stephen-curry-wins-2022-bill-russell-nba-finals-mvp-award}}</ref>
+The following season, the Warriors finished 6th in the West, beating the Sacramento Kings in 7 games in the first round before ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals in 6 games. This marked the 1st instance in Steve Kerr's coaching tenure with the Warriors that they failed to win a playoff series in the Western Conference.
 == See also ==

v t e Golden State Warriors
Founded in 1946 Played in Philadelphia (1946–1962) and Oakland (1971–2019) Based in San Francisco, California
Franchise	History All-time roster Draft history Head coaches Seasons Current season
Arenas	Philadelphia Arena Philadelphia Convention Hall Cow Palace San Francisco Civic Auditorium USF War Memorial Gymnasium San Diego Sports Arena San Jose Arena Oracle Arena Chase Center
Personnel	Owner(s) Joe Lacob (majority) Peter Guber President Brandon Schneider General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. Head coach Steve Kerr
G League affiliate	Santa Cruz Warriors
Retired numbers	13 14 16 17 24 42
NBA championships	1947 1956 1975 2015 2017 2018 2022
Rivalries	Cleveland Cavaliers Los Angeles Lakers Sacramento Kings
Culture and lore	73–9 Dance Cam Mom Death Lineup "Good Feeling" Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Inside Moves Nate the Great Nellie Ball Run TMC Splash Brothers The Block The Sleepy Floyd game Warrior Girls Wilt the Stilt 100-point game