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Golden State Warriors dynasty is now in jeopardy in Game 5

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 07: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Four of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 07: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Four of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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A brutal Game 4 loss in the 2019 NBA Finals has pushed the Golden State Warriors to their limit.

This decade has been a pleasant one for the Golden State Warriors. Three championships in five consecutive trips are about as successful as it gets. Sadly, with the team facing a 3-1 deficit, this franchise might be seeing their dynasty come to an end.

The Dubs have been shorthanded all postseason. The injury bug struck at the worst possible time, impacting the NBA Finals in an absurd way. The two-time Finals MVP, Kevin Durant, hasn’t even appeared in a game yet and his availability for Game 5 is still uncertain. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney are both beat up and playing through injuries.

It certainly doesn’t help that the Warriors just so happened to run into the basketball version of the terminator, Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi is in the midst of one of the greatest postseason runs in history and has shown no mercy in closing out the Dubs.

So far this series, Leonard is averaging 30.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He has put a stranglehold on the pace of the game and controlled every move in Game 4. It is because of Kawhi that the Dubs are facing a 3-1 deficit.

Now, the team is in a sticky situation. It’s evident that these losses have shaken the Dubs and surprised even the most unbiased fan. The absence of KD has not left a good taste in anyone’s mouth and questions around his upcoming free agency are only increasing.

A loss in Game 5 could very well mark the end of a dynasty. Losing Durant in free agency would leave the Warriors with their original core of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. This trio found plenty of success together, but they will be missing the depth and talent on the bench they once had.

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This isn’t even mentioning the worst case scenario in which both Durant and Thompson leave in free agency. It goes without saying the Dubs are facing a scary new future and a loss in Game 5 could make them face reality sooner rather than later.

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