The Warriors have earned the West’s berth in the NBA Finals in six of the past eight seasons. They missed the NBA Playoffs in 2019-20 and 2020-21, but with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson back at full health, they are once again firing on all cylinders.
That trio joined elite company last week. Curry, Green and Thompson became just the 33rd, 34th and 35th players in league history to make at least six trips to the NBA Finals. And one of their teammates jumped even higher on the all-time list.
The Warriors also own the distinction of becoming the first team since Michael Jordan’s Bulls to reach the NBA Finals six times in eight seasons.
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Players with most NBA Finals appearances
Given the team’s dominance in the 1950s and 1960s, it’s no surprise to see a couple of Celtics legends stand alone when it comes to playing in the NBA Finals. Bill Russell and Sam Jones are the only players who have ever punched their tickets to the series more than 10 times.
As for the current Warriors, Andre Iguodala has bragging rights over Curry, Green and Thompson because he played for the Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals, giving him seven total appearances. Golden State’s “Big Three” is part of a “Six-Timers Club” that includes Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal.
Players with most NBA championships
Russell and Jones nearly went undefeated in the NBA Finals, only losing to Bob Pettit’s St. Louis Hawks in the 1958 championship series. Four other Celtics (John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones and Tom Sanders) are right behind them with eight titles each.
Curry, Green, Iguodala and Thompson could capture championship rings for the fourth time in their careers if they defeat the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals.
