Warriors Eliminate Rockets, Ending 40-year NBA Finals Drought

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry had 26 points and eight rebounds, Harrison Barnes added 24 points and the Golden State Warriors advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in 40 years with a 104-90 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

After decades of wishing and waiting for this moment, the Warriors have finally arrived. They shook off a slow start and sweated out a shaky finish in Game 5 to close out the Rockets and set up a matchup with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers beginning June 4.

All five Rockets starters scored at least 10 points, but MVP runner-up James Harden had a forgettable finale. Harden had a playoff-record 13 turnovers and scored 14 points on 2-of-11 shooting.

Dwight Howard led Houston with 18 points and 16 rebounds.

Warriors G Klay Thompson suffers concussion

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State guard Klay Thompson has a concussion after getting kneed in the side of the head by Houston's Trevor Ariza.

Thompson was injured after he faked a shot and Ariza knocked him to the floor with a knee to the head in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals Wednesday night.

Thompson received stitches in his right ear and passed a concussion test during the game that would have allowed him to return. The Warriors did not need him as they won the game 104-90 to clinch the series.

The Warriors said Thompson developed concussion symptoms after the game and will be evaluated by the medical staff. Thompson must pass the concussion protocol before he can return to play.

The NBA Finals start June 4.