This Date In Sports History: Golden State Warriors’ 54 Game Home Winning Streak Snapped By The Boston Celtics

By Jordan Long

On this date in sports history, a record home winning streak was finally halted.  The 2016 Golden State Warriors were one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. They set the NBA record for most wins in a season at 73-9 but in 2016 they had their first loss at home since January 27^th, 2015.

                Golden State faced the Boston Celtics at home on April 1^st, 2016.  Boston came into the game at 43-32.  Golden State’s record, on the other hand, was 68-7.  These teams matched up before on December 11^th in Boston.  It was a close game as it went into overtime.  Golden State outscored Boston 21-16 in overtime to take the game 124-119, the 24^th straight victory to start the year for Golden State.

                Heading into this game, playoff positioning was on the line for Boston while Golden State was cruising to the #1 seed in the West and had their sights set on beating the 1996 Chicago Bulls for most wins in an NBA season.

                The game was close throughout.  Golden State outscored Boston 23-21 in the first quarter.  Boston came back in the 2^nd quarter to take a 45-43 lead.   Golden State wasn’t that worried.  They had shown in most games, they could play defense to shut opponents from scoring.  On the other side, Boston knew they could also limit Golden State in the paint.  It was the outside defense that was going to be key for Boston to finish the game. 

                It was a back and forth 2^nd half.  The game came down to the last second.  Golden State had the ball down 3 with 8.3 seconds left.  No problem for these Warriors.  They had shooters who could make a 3 pointer in Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Harrison Barnes.  Curry tried a 3 pointer from the top of the key with 5.3 seconds left but the basketball went in then out.  The rebound came back to Golden State. Barnes tried a wild three near the top of the key in desperation to beat the clock to send the game into overtime, but it was an air ball.  Golden State dropped the game 109-106 ending a 54 home game winning streak.

                After this game, Boston finished the season as the 5^th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record.  They faced Atlanta in the 1^st-round but were ousted in 6 games.  On the other hand, Golden State went all the way to the NBA Finals but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 7 games.