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Game 4 is not a must-win scenario for the Golden State Warriors

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, 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)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, 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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If there’s one thing we have to be honest about, it’s Game 4.

The Warriors are down 2-1, and it seems like many fans are saying their upcoming game is a must-win scenario for Golden State, but that should be far from the case, especially with two home games still potentially on the docket.

The Golden State Warriors are down 2-1 in the best-of-7 NBA Finals, and while Game 4 will be important, it shouldn’t pose as a must-win situation.

They started this series with home-court advantage, and after losing it in Game 1, they will have to win a game in Boston. They lost Game 3 116-100 after beating the Celtics at the Chase Center in Game 2.

Both games they’ve lost this series have been by ten-plus points, so Boston really makes its presence felt in the fourth quarter. The real concern so far has been the Warriors’ struggling fourth quarters.

In the first game, they were outscored by 24 in the fourth, 40-16, after erupting and taking a double-digit lead into the final period, and in the third game, they lost the final period by 12, 23-11.

That’s more concerning than the Warriors’ current 2-1 deficit. Golden State must be better at closing games if they want a shot in the series, especially after narrowing the Celtics’ second-half gap to just four in Game 3.

Take away a difficult and discouraging fourth from both losses, and you might have easily turned this into a 3-0 lead. Boston has closed out well, but the Warriors are on the doorstep of gaining home court.

While Game 4 will undoubtedly be important to the series, there’s no reason this should be dubbed a must-win game for Golden State, especially when we saw the flip side turn the Bay Area on its head in 2016.

The Warriors’ experience is also a reason to justify them not being in a must-win situation. They beat Denver in 5 games and had a 3-1 lead on both Memphis and Dallas as well. Winning 3 of 4 is something Golden State has consistently done this postseason.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

Does losing Game 4 make the series more challenging? Of course it does. But, does it end all hope? That it does not.

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