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Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 3 of 2019 NBA Finals

By Daniel Lubofsky

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 05, 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 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 05, 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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(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Despite an all-out effort from Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors weren’t able to take down the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Golden State Warriors went into Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals already at a stark disadvantage before stepping foot onto the court. Kevin Durant would remain out with his calf injury. Kevon Looney was ruled out for the rest of the series after a fractured collarbone suffered in Game 2.

Less than an hour before the start of Game 3, it was announced Klay Thomspon’s sore hamstring would keep him out as well. That put three of Golden State’s six most-used players out of commission for a pivotal Finals game, one that could leave the door open for the Toronto Raptors to regain home-court advantage and take a 2-1 series lead.

From tip-off, the Dubs were clearly no match for Toronto’s well-balanced attack, where six players finished in double-figures, led by Kawhi Leonard‘s 30 points along with seven rebounds and six assists.

After a subpar first two games of this series in which he averaged just 10.0 points per game on 30.0 percent shooting, Kyle Lowry arrived onto the Finals scene in style. He finished with 23 points while hitting five of his nine looks from downtown in what would ultimately result in a 123-109 Raptors victory.

Without many options to turn to offensively, Golden State was forced to heavily rely upon its MVP, who delivered as much as he could in one of the best performances of his career.

Stephen Curry started off the game scalding hot in scoring or assisting on 24 of the Warriors’ 29 first quarter points. He finished the game with a career playoff-high 47 points on 14-of-31 shooting, but had just two teammates — Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green — join him in double figures.

Golden State cut into the lead on a number of occasions only to watch Toronto widen the gap with continuous, gut-wrenching 3-pointers. It’s hard to look forward to Game 4 given how little we know about who will actually suit for the Dubs. Either way, it’s a must-win game desperately needed in order to keep their championship hopes alive.

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