The Boston Celtics lost consecutive playoff games for the first time this postseason, losing 94-104 to the Golden State Warriors, and leaving them on the brink of elimination and missing out on the NBA Championship. 

Coming into this game, the Celtics had not lost back-to-back games since March, boasting a perfect 7-0 record following losses. But a weak 4th quarter where they lost all their composure, all but handed the initiative to the Warriors. This means that the Warriors, who have been spearheaded by Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, now lead the playoffs 3-2 and can get their hands on the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the 4th time in the last decade, if they win the next game at TD Garden on Thursday night. 

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It was Andrew Wiggins who was the MVP of game 5, delivering perhaps the greatest performance of his 8-year career- leading the charts with 26 points scored as well as 13 rebounds. He even capped off his emphatic performance with a bursting drive and single-handed dunk. Four other players got into double figures for the Warriors, including Steph Curry who scored 16 points and 8 assists, to provide some strong support on the offensive end of the game. 

Also read: Who is Andrew Wiggins?

On the other side, Jayson Tatum contributed 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, while Marcus Smart, who started slowly, rallied to end the game with 20 points.

In reality, though, the Warriors seemed in control of this game right from the start, barring a brief but determined revival from the Celtics in the 3rd quarter when they came back with a 35-point flurry in quick time. 

Also read: NBA finals: What are the chances of Golden State Warriors winning the title?

The best-of-seven playoffs now resumes on Thursday night in Boston, and a Celtic win on their home turf will give them a chance to return to the Bay Area tied at 3-3 to play a winner-takes-all 7th game on Sunday. A loss though, and the Golden State Warriors will be crowned NBA Champions, just two seasons after they finished with their worst record in the Western Conference at 15-50, thus capping off a fairytale turnaround for Steph Curry and Co.