Curry named Finals MVP for 1st time
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was named Finals MVP after leading his team with 34 points in their title-clinching Game 6 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
It's the first time Curry has won the accolade despite the Warriors' four championships in the last eight seasons. Kevin Durant won the team's previous two while Andre Iguodala earned the honor in 2015.
Curry was unanimously voted Finals MVP by an 11-person media panel.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is the recipient of The Bill Russell Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals 2022 presented by YouTube TV.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 17, 2022
Curry received all 11 votes from a media panel at the NBA Finals.
The voting panel ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EjuTLWZHC8
In six games against the Celtics, Curry registered 31.2 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals per game. He took 11.8 threes per contest in the Finals, converting 43.7% of them.
"I've seen it up close and personal three times. Now I get to take this one home," Curry said while holding his Finals MVP trophy after the win. "I don't know, I'm trying to be clever. I can't even be clever.
"This is amazing. This is freaking amazing, man. Keep your head down, keep working, keep walking in your purpose, and good things happen. You know what I'm saying? That's the message right there. That is the freaking message."
Winning Finals MVP adds another piece of silverware to Curry's Hall of Fame-bound resume. Along with being a four-time champ, the 34-year-old guard is also an eight-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, a two-time regular-season MVP, the 2022 All-Star Game MVP, a two-time scoring champion, and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
He's also the NBA's all-time leader in made 3-pointers after passing Ray Allen in December. Curry's count currently stands at 3,117, a record that likely won't be broken in the foreseeable future.
"Without him, none of this happens. ... We've had so many great players but Steph ultimately is why this run has happened," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said postgame, courtesy of CBS Sports. "Much like (Tim Duncan) in San Antonio.
"I'm happy for everybody but I'm thrilled for Steph. To me, this is his crowning achievement in what's already been an incredible career."
Curry was also the recipient of the inaugural Western Conference finals MVP award this year after averaging 23.8 points, 7.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and one steal while shooting 43.9% from deep in Golden State's five-game series against the Dallas Mavericks.