Warriors overcome LeBron James' 51 points, capitalize on J.R. Smith's flub, to win Game 1 of NBA Finals

LeBron James tells J.R. Smith to shoot the ball in Game 1 of the NBA Finals
(Image credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

LeBron James scored 51 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oakland on Thursday night, but it wasn't enough. The Golden State Warriors won in overtime, 124-114, after a drama-filled and entertaining start to the fourth straight Cavs-Warriors championship battle. Stephen Curry scored 29 points for the Warriors, Kevin Durant 26, and Klay Thompson 24, but the most memorable and consequential play was Cavs shooting guard J.R. Smith dribbling the ball into overtime with 4.7 seconds left at the end of the fourth quarter, with the score tied and James looking on in disbelief.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.