Golden State eliminates San Antonio in 4 games in West finals

SAN ANTONIO – Golden State made sure the inevitable was unavoidable.

Heavily favored to beat the Spurs, especially once Kawhi Leonard suffered an injury, the Warriors completed a dominant sweep in the Western Conference finals.

Stephen Curry scored 36 points and Golden State beat injury-ravaged San Antonio with a 129-115 victory Monday night, becoming the first team in league history to start the playoffs 12-0.

"[Being] 12-0 is great, but it doesn't mean anything going into the next series, and we understand that," Curry said.

Golden State led by as many as 22 points in cruising to its third consecutive NBA Finals. The Warriors await a possible third consecutive championship matchup with Cleveland, which leads Boston 2-1 in the East finals.

"It's great to be one of the last two teams standing, we'll see how it goes," said Kevin Durant, who had 29 points and 12 rebounds in reaching the NBA Finals for the second time in his career.

After blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Cavaliers in last year's Finals, the Warriors added Durant to their already-star-laden lineup. But they head into this year's championship round still without coach Steve Kerr, who has been sidelined by a back injury and is uncertain if or when he will return.

"He called, we talked, we laughed," Brown said. "He said, 'Hey, I love you. I told him I loved him.' "

San Antonio's only lead Monday came on the opening possession when Manu Ginobili tossed in a left-handed scoop shot. The Spurs started Ginobili in what could be his final game with the team. The 39-year-old had maintained he will not ponder whether to retire or return until after the season.

"We started him tonight out of respect," Popovich said. "That was the whole reason for starting him. Before the game, you think it may or may not be his last game that he ever plays in, and I did not want to miss the opportunity to honor him in front of our home fans for his selflessness over the years."

Unsure if the beloved veteran will return, the crowd serenaded Ginobili with "Manu, Manu" chants as the game came to a close.

"He kind of worked us pretty good these four games," said Draymond Green, who had 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Warriors. "So, I think he's got quite a bit left in the tank."

Green said their absence was unfortunate but added, "At the end of the day, a win is a win, and you have to beat whoever is out there against you."

San Antonio didn't go down without a fight despite the injuries. Anderson dove for a loose ball that the Spurs had tipped away, pushing the ball upcourt to Patty Mills who fed Ginobili for a three-pointer that pulled San Antonio to 108-94 with 7 minutes remaining.

The effort made Popovich smile and clap at times, but the Warriors' depth and talent proved too much.

"It's the second time we've gotten swept in 15 years, and those are the easiest to digest because you've been overplayed," Ginobili said. "The opponent was better than us, and in this case, way better than us."