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Santa Cruz Warriors win D-League championship, Elliot Williams named MVP

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe this is some positive foreshadowing for the Golden State Warriors.

The Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State's exclusive D-League affiliate, captured the D-League championship Sunday. Santa Cruz beat the Fort Wayne Mad Ants 109-96 to sweep the best-of-three series, giving them the first championship in franchise history after back-to-back seasons as runners up.

The Warriors were led by Finals MVP Elliot Williams, who spent time with the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans during the NBA regular season. Williams scored 23 points with five rebounds and five assists in the clinching game, leading a team that included Warriors' prospects James Michael McAdoo and Ognjen Kuzmic and D-League Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Craft.

Williams was a member of the Second Team All-NBA D-League roster after leading the Warriors with 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists in the regular season.

The D-League playoffs were broadcast nationally for the first time this season, with Sunday's final taking place on ESPNU.

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