Splash Brothers: Curry, Thompson send Warriors to Western Conference final for second straight season

OAKLAND, CALIF.— Stephen Curry raised his left arm in triumph and cradled the game ball in his right as yellow confetti fell.

The Splash Brothers are taking defending champion Golden State back to the Western Conference final for a second straight year.

Klay Thompson’s shooting touch carried the Warriors while Curry was down, and together again in the starting lineup they guided Golden State a step closer to a repeat title with a 125-121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 Wednesday.

Thompson scored 33 points with six three-pointers, while Curry added 29 and sealed it with a three with 24.9 seconds left. He finished with five threes a day after becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history, also adding 11 assists after returning to the starting lineup for the first time all series because of a knee injury.

“West finals two years in a row, it’s been a special, special season,” Thompson said.

Draymond Green, who had his left ankle re-taped in the fourth quarter, had 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists after guaranteeing Golden State would advance from this game.

Damian Lillard scored 28 points and C.J. McCollum had 27 for the young Trail Blazers, who overcame an 0-2 deficit to the Clippers in the first round to get this far.

The Warriors got past Portland even with Curry missing the first three games as he recovered from a sprained right knee.

“We know what it takes to win in the playoffs,” Thompson said. “That might be the closest five-game series of all-time.”

Now, Golden State will wait for the conclusion of the Oklahoma City-San Antonio series, led 3-2 by the Thunder.

And the banged-up Warriors could use the time to get healthy. They lost centre Andrew Bogut for the second half because of a right leg injury.

Thompson shot 13-for-17 and became the first player to have at least five threes in seven straight games, also recording his fourth 30-point game this post-season.

“Klay’s shooting was incredible tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I thought a gutty effort from a lot of guys. It wasn’t our best stuff, but we got it done.”

The 135 combined three-pointers — 71 by Portland, 64 for Golden State — were most ever in a five-game series.