The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have become one of the most entertaining rivalries in the league over the past decade.
They squared off in the NBA Finals four years in a row, with Stephen Curry and company often getting the last laugh over them.
However, the last time they beat them was on the biggest stage giving them perhaps the most significant bragging rights in NBA history.
LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love took down the 73-9 Warriors and became the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the history of the NBA Finals, spoiling one of the greatest — if not the greatest — seasons this game has ever seen.
Unfortunately for them, that would be one of the last times they beat the Dubs until last night’s game.
According to Bleacher Report, the Cavaliers hadn’t beaten the Warriors since December 25, 2016, in that iconic Christmas Day matchup between both powerhouses.
It’s been a while since the Cavs beat the Warriors 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gt6YDXNL4j
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 6, 2023
The Warriors have gone on to win three more NBA championships since that day, while the Cavs haven’t been the most competitive team in the league.
They’re slowly working their way up to become a perennial playoff team in the post-LeBron James era, but they’re nowhere near the powerhouse they once were.
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland put together one of the most explosive backcourts in the game, and Evan Mobley continues to make strides on both ends of the floor.
However, barring a miracle or a significant turn of events, it’ll be a long while until we see these two teams meet in the NBA Finals again.
NEXT: Donovan Mitchell Sends Clear Message About Cavs' Early Struggles