For all intents and purposes, the Boston Celtics should have beaten the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals. Hoop fans and analysts certainly pegged the C's to win it all, especially after they defeated the Dubs in convincing fashion in Game 3, 116-100, to take a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 still on their home floor.
The Celtics believed they could do it; former Celtics forward Grant Williams was confident they could. Unfortunately for the Celtics, Warriors star Stephen Curry had other ideas and Williams was there to witness it firsthand.
As easy as Michael Jordan made winning championships look, winning just one is insanely difficult. Many factors, such as talent, matchups, and most of all, health, need to align perfectly for a team to win it all. During the 2001-02 season, it looked like the Celtics had all the pieces in place to make a run at the NBA title.
They had a young, talented All-NBA-worthy duo in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown , the Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart , and a savvy veteran in Al Horford . Along with a deep bench and a brilliant coach, Ime Udoka, the Celtics had one of the best records in the league. By Game 4 of the finals, they were up 2-1 on the Warriors, which had them feeling pretty good about themselves.
"I remember we were playing those games — man, we thought we won it," Williams said on the "Club 520" podcast. "We were up 2–1. And I was like, 'Yo, we're going back home. We got this next win. Then Game 4 happens."
To be clear, Curry had already established himself as an all-time great at that point. With three NBA rings, two MVP trophies and countless individual accolades, he was one of the most feared and respected players in the league. However, his performance in Game 4 just added to his already impressive resume.
Curry went off for 43 points, including seven three-pointers, and added 10 rebounds and four assists to lead the Warriors to a scintillating 107-97 win to tie the series up at 2-2. Golden State would go on to win the next two games, including a 103-90 victory in Game 6 to close the series out and secure the franchise's fourth NBA championship in the last eight seasons.
Aware that a loss meant death to their title hopes, Steph tapped into his Baby-Faced Assassin persona and delivered a performance that still reverberates through the halls of the TD Garden to this day. It didn't matter who was in front of Steph or what defensive scheme the Celtics threw at him; he wasn't going to be denied in Game 4, hitting shots from all over the court.
"I would say Steph went off. Steph is insane," Grant remembered. "Steph in Game 4 was ridiculous. I remember I was guarding him. Then when I got subbed out, I was watching it like, 'Yo… this is a different level of basketball player.'"
Time and again, opponents are reminded of how special Steph is. He looks like an average guy who may pass you by on the street without a second glance. Still, he possesses an otherworldly talent that has made him one of the most feared players in the NBA.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
