2016 NBA Finals

File:LeBron James (21996733782).jpg advanced to his sixth straight Finals.]]

{{main|2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers season}}

This was Cleveland's second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, and third overall, seeking to win their first ever NBA championship. This would also be the sixth consecutive NBA Finals appearance for LeBron James, the most for any player not part of the 1960s Boston Celtics, and the fifth for James Jones (who technically qualified for the 2011 NBA Finals along with James, but did not play).{{cite web|last1=Cato|first1=Tim|title=Cavaliers vs. Raptors 2016 results: LeBron James advances to 6th straight NBA Finals with Game 6 win|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/5/27/11804174/raptors-cavaliers-2016-results-nba-playoffs-scores-lebron-james-finals|website=sbnation.com|date=May 27, 2016|access-date=May 28, 2016}}

Despite holding the best record in the Eastern Conference at 30–11 midway through the season on January 22, 2016, the Cavaliers fired head coach David Blatt.{{cite news|last1=Fedor|first1=Chris|title=David Blatt fired by Cleveland Cavaliers; Tyronn Lue elevated to head coach|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/01/david_blatt_fired_by_cleveland.html|access-date=January 22, 2016|agency=Cleveland.com|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=January 22, 2016}} Associate head coach Tyronn Lue was then promoted to replace Blatt. General Manager David Griffin cited "a lack of fit with our personnel and our vision" as the reason for Blatt's firing.{{cite web|title=David Blatt fired as Cavaliers coach; Tyronn Lue to take over team|date=January 22, 2016|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/14627529/david-blatt-fired-cleveland-cavaliers-coach|publisher=ESPN|access-date=January 22, 2016}}

Cleveland finished the regular season with a 57–25 record, capturing the Central Division title and the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. They then advanced to the Finals after sweeping both the Detroit Pistons in the first round and the Atlanta Hawks in the second round, and defeating the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games. The Cavaliers were the first team in history to go to two consecutive

NBA Finals with rookie head coaches.

File:Stephen Curry dribbling 2016 (cropped).jpg won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player Award.]]

{{main|2015–16 Golden State Warriors season}}

This was the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors' second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals and eighth overall. The Warriors broke the record set by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls by finishing the regular season with a 73–9 record.{{cite news|last=Strauss|first=Ethan|title=Epic history: Stephen Curry, Warriors surpass Bulls' win record|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/golden-state-warriors/post/_/id/1667/epic-history-stephen-curry-warriors-surpass-the-bulls-win-record|website=ESPN.com|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=June 6, 2016}} In addition, the Warriors broke numerous other NBA records, including most road wins (34), best start to a season (24–0) and longest regular-season home win streak (54 dating back to the 2014–15 season). They also became the first team to make over 1,000 three-pointers in the regular-season with 1,077, eclipsing the previous record of 933 set by the 2014–15 Houston Rockets.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/sports/basketball/cleveland-cavaliers-3-pointers-record.html|title=Move Over, Warriors. Cavs Can Shoot 3s, Too.|access-date=June 20, 2016|date=May 5, 2016|first=Victor|last=Mather|newspaper=NY Times}}

The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry, who was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second straight season. The Splash Brothers twosome of Curry and Klay Thompson were the highest scoring duo in the league, combining to average 52.2 points per game.{{cite news|last=McCauley |first=Janie |title=Durant, Westbrook power Thunder past Warriors 108–102 |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160516/OKCGSW/gameinfo.html |website=NBA.com |agency=Associated Press |date=May 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611073807/http://www.nba.com/games/20160516/OKCGSW/gameinfo.html |archive-date=June 11, 2016 |url-status=live }} Head coach Steve Kerr missed the first 43 regular season games because of a back injury. Assistant coach Luke Walton served as interim head coach during Kerr's absence and he led the Warriors to a 39–4 start.{{cite news|last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |title=Kerr battles lingering spinal-fluid issues, but coaches through pain |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/14757415/steve-kerr-battles-headaches-lingering-spinal-fluid-issues-coaches-pain |website=ESPN.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214001914/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14757415/steve-kerr-battles-headaches-lingering-spinal-fluid-issues-coaches-pain |archive-date=February 14, 2016 |date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=May 31, 2016 |url-status=live }}

In the playoffs, the Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round and the Portland Trail Blazers in the conference semifinals in five games each. Curry missed six games in the first two rounds due to injuries. He missed two games after tweaking his right ankle in Game 1 against the Rockets. In his first game back in Game 4, he sprained his right knee and was sidelined for two weeks, missing four games.{{cite news|title=Was Curry hurt during Finals? Myers uses two different words|date=June 26, 2016|work=NBC Sports|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/was-curry-hurt-during-finals-myers-uses-two-different-words|access-date=June 4, 2022}}{{cite book|first=Marcus II|last=Thompson|title=Dynasties: The 10 G.O.A.T. Teams That Changed the NBA Forever|year=2021|publisher=Running Press|page=293|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SBYbEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT293|access-date=June 4, 2022|isbn=978-0-7624-9628-0|via=Google Books}} In Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 96–88, becoming only the 10th team in NBA history to overcome a 3–1 series deficit, and advancing to a second straight NBA Finals for the first time since 1947 and 1948.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/gameday/20160530/recap/|title=Warriors Silence the Thunder in Game 7, Series|publisher=NBA|access-date=June 20, 2016|date=May 30, 2016}}

{{Main|2016 NBA Playoffs}}

The Warriors won the regular season series 2–0.

{{basketballbox

| bg=#fff

| date = December 25, 2015

| report = {{NBA Recap|2015|1225|id=CLEGSW}}

| team1 = Cleveland Cavaliers | score1 = 83

| team2 = Golden State Warriors | score2 = 89

| place = Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

}}

{{basketballbox

| date = January 18, 2016

| report = {{NBA Recap|2016|0118|id=GSWCLE}}

| team1 = Golden State Warriors |score1 = 132

| team2 = Cleveland Cavaliers |score2 = 98

| place = Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

}}

For the first time since 2004, a new scheduling format was instituted for the Finals. In the previous years, the Finals were played in a Thursday–Sunday–Tuesday scheme. However, the league changed its scheduling to ensure an extra day off for both teams when traveling between the two cities. This, along with the designated travel day, took place after Games 2, 4, 5, and 6 in subsequent finals. This scheduling change was necessary as a result of the National Hockey League instituting a new scheduling format for its championship series that went into effect beginning in 2016.{{cite web|date=October 19, 2021|title=Extra off days in NBA, NHL finals |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/nba-finals-stanley-cup-schedules-extra-off-days/13sui1ahk2oi815enbl6cdi7p3|publisher=Sporting News Holding Limited|access-date=April 27, 2023|website=www.sportingnews.com|language=en-us}}

:All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 2 |time=9:00 PM |place=Oracle Arena, Oakland, California |TV=ABC

|team1=Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=89

|team2=Golden State Warriors |score2=104

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201606020GSW.html Boxscore]

|Q1=24–28 |Q2=19–24 |Q3=25–22 |Q4=21–30

|points1=Kyrie Irving 26 |points2=Shaun Livingston 20

|rebounds1=Kevin Love 13 |rebounds2=Draymond Green 11

|assist1=LeBron James 9 |assist2=Draymond Green 7

|attendance=19,596

|referee=*No. 41 Ken Mauer

• No. 8 Marc Davis
• No. 14 Ed Malloy

|series=Golden State leads series, 1–0

}}

The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 104–89 in Game 1 to take a 1–0 series lead. The Cavaliers led 68–67 before the Warriors broke the game open with a 29–9 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to take a 96–76 lead. Cleveland cut the deficit to within eleven points at 98–87 after an 11–2 run, but Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson nailed back-to-back three-pointers to essentially seal the victory for Golden State. While Curry and Thompson had a rough night combining for 20 points, the Warriors got a lift from its bench, outscoring the Cavaliers' bench 45–10.{{cite web|title=Warriors up 1–0 as Draymond Green, supporting cast key win|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878154|website=ESPN.com|date=June 3, 2016|access-date=June 6, 2016}} Shaun Livingston scored his playoff-career high 20 points to lead Golden State, while Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 26 points. LeBron James fell one assist shy of a triple-double (23 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists).{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/02/nba-finals-cleveland-cavaliers-golden-state-warriors-live|title=NBA finals, Game 1: Golden State Warriors beat Cleveland Cavaliers – as it happened|date=June 3, 2016|work=Guardian|access-date=June 7, 2016}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 5 |time=8:00 PM |place=Oracle Arena, Oakland, California |TV=ABC

|team1=Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=77

|team2=Golden State Warriors |score2=110

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201606050GSW.html Boxscore]

|Q1=21–19 |Q2=23–33 |Q3=18–30 |Q4=15–28

|points1=LeBron James 19 |points2=Draymond Green 28

|rebounds1=LeBron James 8 |rebounds2=Stephen Curry 9

|assist1=LeBron James 9 |assist2=Green, Livingston, Klay Thompson 5 each

|attendance=19,596

|referee=*No. 48 Scott Foster

• No. 25 Tony Brothers
• No. 19 James Capers

|series=Golden State leads series, 2–0

}}

The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 110–77 in Game 2 to take a 2–0 series lead. Cleveland took a 28–22 lead about two minutes into the second quarter, but Golden State answered with a 20–2 run while outscoring the Cavs 30–16 the rest of the period. During the run, the Cavaliers' Kevin Love suffered a head injury while attempting to grab a defensive rebound. Love stayed throughout the remainder of the period but did not play the second half.{{cite web|title=Warriors whip Cavaliers 110–77 to take 2–0 NBA Finals lead|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878155|work=ESPN|date=June 5, 2016|access-date=June 7, 2016}} The Warriors continued to dominate Cleveland from there, outscoring the Cavaliers 58–33 in the final two quarters. Draymond Green led all scorers with 28 points, including 5 of 8 from three-point range. Curry and Klay Thompson added 18 and 17 points, respectively, while drilling four threes each.{{cite news|title=Warriors, Resilient at Home, Cruise Against the Cavaliers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/06/sports/basketball/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-game-2-nba-finals.html|work=The New York Times|date=June 5, 2016|access-date=June 7, 2016}}

With their victory, the Warriors posted the highest winning margin in the first two Finals games with a 48-point differential.{{cite news|last=Lynch|first=Andrew|title=The Warriors are setting NBA Finals records by crushing the Cavs|date=June 6, 2016|website=FoxSports.com|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-blowout-lopsided-48-point-margin-060616|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808150349/http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-blowout-lopsided-48-point-margin-060616|archive-date=August 8, 2016|url-status=live}} James led the Cavs with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals, surpassing John Stockton for fourth on the all-time playoff steals list. However, he also committed 7 turnovers in the loss.{{cite web|title=Golden State Warriors humiliate Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA finals Game 2|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/05/nba-finals-game-2-golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers|work=Guardian|date=June 6, 2016|access-date=June 7, 2016}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 8 |time=9:00 PM |place=Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio |TV=ABC

|team1=Golden State Warriors |score1=90

|team2=Cleveland Cavaliers |score2=120

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201606080CLE.html Boxscore]

|Q1=16–33 |Q2=27–18 |Q3=26–38 |Q4=21–31

|points1=Stephen Curry 19 |points2=LeBron James 32

|rebounds1=Harrison Barnes 8 |rebounds2=Tristan Thompson 13

|assist1=Draymond Green 7 |assist2=Kyrie Irving 8

|attendance=20,562

|referee=*No. 13 Monty McCutchen

• No. 9 Derrick Stafford
• No. 15 Zach Zarba

|series=Golden State leads series, 2–1

}}

The Cavaliers avenged their lopsided defeat to Golden State by routing the Warriors 120–90 in Game 3 to cut the series deficit to 2–1. The Cavaliers scored the game's first nine points en route to outscoring the Warriors 33–16 after one quarter. Golden State rallied to trim Cleveland's lead as low as seven points on a couple of occasions before the Cavs settled for a 51–43 halftime lead.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/08/nba-finals-game-3-live-score-golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers|title= Golden State Warriors 90–120 Cleveland Cavaliers – as it happened|date=June 9, 2016|work=Guardian|access-date=June 14, 2016}} In the second half, Cleveland continued to extend their lead and outscored Golden State 69–47.{{cite web|title=LeBron James scores 32 as Cavs wallop Warriors, pull to 2–1|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878156|website=ESPN.com|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=June 12, 2016}} Love did not play due to a concussion.{{cite web|last=Withers|first=Tom|title=Love not medically cleared, will not play in Game 3|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/08/cavs-love-participates-in-game-3-shootaround.ap/index.html|website=NBA.com|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=June 12, 2016}} James led all scorers with 32 points. Irving added 30 points for the Cavs. Curry led the Warriors with 19 points, while drilling four threes. Harrison Barnes also contributed 18 points in 33 minutes of play.{{cite web|title=Cavaliers roar back to crush Warriors as Steph Curry's struggles continue|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/08/cavaliers-wallop-warriors-steph-curry-nba-finals-game-3|work=Guardian|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=June 12, 2016}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 10 |time=9:00 PM |place=Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio |TV=ABC

|team1=Golden State Warriors |score1=108

|team2=Cleveland Cavaliers |score2=97

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201606100CLE.html Boxscore]

|Q1=29–28 |Q2=21–27 |Q3=29–22 |Q4=29–20

|points1=Stephen Curry 38 |points2=Kyrie Irving 34

|rebounds1=Draymond Green 12 |rebounds2=LeBron James 13

|assist1=Andre Iguodala 7 |assist2=LeBron James 9

|attendance=20,562

|referee=*No. 43 Dan Crawford

• No. 24 Mike Callahan
• No. 23 Jason Phillips

|series=Golden State leads series, 3–1

}}

The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108–97 in Game 4 to take a 3–1 series lead. After averaging just 16 points in the first three games of the series, Curry scored 38 and was 7 of 13 on three-pointers.{{cite news |last=Cacciola |first=Scott |title=Warriors Win and Move a Game Away From the N.B.A. Title |date=June 10, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/11/sports/basketball/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611003105/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/11/sports/basketball/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-4.html?ref=sports&_r=1 |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=March 1, 2017 }} The Warriors made 17 three-pointers, then an NBA record for a single Finals game.{{cite web|title=Splish, splash: Curry, Thompson lead Warriors to Game 4 win|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160610/GSWCLE/gameinfo.html|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610213505/http://www.nba.com/games/20160610/GSWCLE/gameinfo.html|archive-date=June 10, 2016}} They made only 16 two-point field goals, the first time in Finals history a team made more shots from three-point range.{{cite news|title=Three charts on a record-setting night for Curry and the Warriors |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16114550/statmuse-charts-stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors-game-4-nba-finals |website=ESPN.com |date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612002417/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16114550/statmuse-charts-stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors-game-4-nba-finals |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |url-status=live }} Klay Thompson added 25 points and four three-pointers for Golden State. It was the Warriors' 88th win of the season, which broke the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls record of 87 for most wins in an NBA season (regular-season and postseason combined).{{cite web|title=Warriors|url=http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/warriors.pdf|work=nba.com|access-date=March 18, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/11/sports/basketball/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-4.html?_r=0|title= Warriors Win and Move a Game Away From the N.B.A. Title|date=June 10, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 14, 2016}}

Green and James had to be separated in the closing minutes of the game, when Green fell to the ground and James stepped over him.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/10/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-4-live|title= Golden State Warriors defeat Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA finals Game 4 – as it happened|date=June 10, 2016|work=Guardian|access-date=June 14, 2016}}

Feeling disrespected, Green swung his arm and appeared to make contact with James' groin.{{cite news|last=Windhorst |first=Brian |title=Sources: Ruling on Green-LeBron incident could come Sunday |date=June 11, 2016 |website=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/16116188/after-lebron-james-draymond-green-altercation-james-upset-green-suspended |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613031717/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/16116188/after-lebron-james-draymond-green-altercation-james-upset-green-suspended |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |url-status=live }}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 13 |time=9:00 PM |place=Oracle Arena, Oakland, California |TV=ABC

|team1=Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=112

|team2=Golden State Warriors |score2=97

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201606130GSW.html Boxscore]

|Q1=29–32 |Q2=32–29 |Q3=32–23 |Q4=19–13

|points1=Irving, James 41 each |points2=Klay Thompson 37

|rebounds1=LeBron James 16 |rebounds2=Andre Iguodala 11

|assist1=LeBron James 7 |assist2=Andre Iguodala 6

|attendance=19,596

|referee=*No. 13 Monty McCutchen

• No. 8 Marc Davis
• No. 9 Derrick Stafford

|series=Golden State leads series, 3–2

}}

The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 112–97 in Game 5 to narrow the Warriors' series lead to 3–2. James and Irving each scored 41 points to become the first teammates in Finals history to score 40 or more in the same game. James also added 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks, while Irving had 6 assists of his own. After Game 4, Green was assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 for his contact with James that was ruled "unnecessary" and "retaliatory", and James was given a technical foul for taunting.{{cite news|last=Branch|first=John|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/14/sports/basketball/cleveland-cavs-golden-state-warriors-nba-finals.html|title=Cavaliers Stave Off Elimination in N.B.A. Finals|date=June 13, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 18, 2016}} Having accumulated his fourth flagrant foul point in the playoffs, Green was suspended for Game 5,{{cite news|last=Leung |first=Diamond |title=NBA Finals: Warriors' Draymond Green suspended for Game 5 by NBA |date=June 12, 2016 |newspaper=The Mercury News |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_30006822/nba-finals-warriors-draymond-green-suspended-game-5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613112744/http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_30006822/nba-finals-warriors-draymond-green-suspended-game-5 |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |url-status=live }} becoming the first player to be suspended from playing in a Finals game since Jerry Stackhouse in 2006.{{cite web|title=Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors: NBA finals Game 5 – as it happened|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/13/nba-finals-game-5-live-score-golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers|date=June 14, 2016|work=Guardian|access-date=June 14, 2016}} Green watched the game from a luxury box in the nearby Oakland Alameda Coliseum, where the Oakland Athletics were also playing a game at the same time, hosting the Texas Rangers.{{cite web|title=Draymond Green to Watch Game 5 from Oakland Athletics stadium|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2016/06/13/Draymond-Green-to-watch-Game-5-from-Oakland-Athletics-stadium/3871465843287/|date=June 13, 2016|work=The Sports Xchange|access-date=August 17, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Suspended Draymond Green to Watch Game 5 from Oakland A's Coliseum, Declines 1st Pitch Offer|url=http://www.eurweb.com/2016/06/suspended-draymond-green-watch-game-5-oakland-coliseum-declines-1st-pitch-offer/|date=June 13, 2016|work=Lee Bailey's EURWeb|access-date=August 17, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Suspended Draymond Green to Watch at A's Game|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/13/draymond-green-suspended-watch-warriors-game-5-oakland-athletics-game|date=June 13, 2016|work=SI Wire|access-date=August 17, 2016}}

Warriors center Andrew Bogut suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee in the second half when he jumped to block a layup attempt by Cavs guard J. R. Smith and came down awkwardly on Smith.{{cite news|last=Amick |first=Sam |title=Andrew Bogut will miss remainder of NBA Finals with left knee injury |date=June 15, 2016 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/06/15/andrew-bogut-injury-warriors-nba-finals/85924936/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618210127/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/06/15/andrew-bogut-injury-warriors-nba-finals/85924936/ |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-status=live }}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 16 |time=9:00 PM |place=Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio |TV=ABC

|team1=Golden State Warriors |score1=101

|team2=Cleveland Cavaliers |score2=115

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201606160CLE.html Boxscore]

|Q1=11–31 |Q2=32–28 |Q3=28–21 |Q4=30–35

|points1=Stephen Curry 30 |points2=LeBron James 41

|rebounds1=Draymond Green 10 |rebounds2=Tristan Thompson 16

|assist1=Draymond Green 6 |assist2=LeBron James 11

|attendance=20,562

|referee=*No. 48 Scott Foster

• No. 41 Ken Mauer
• No. 23 Jason Phillips

|series=Series tied, 3–3

}}

File:LeBron James vs. Steph Curry (27676810241).jpg

The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 115–101 in Game 6 to even the series 3–3. The Cavaliers scored the game's first eight points en route to outscoring the Warriors 31–11 after one quarter. Golden State rallied to trim Cleveland's lead as low as eight points on a couple of occasions before the Cavs settled for a 59–43 halftime lead, with Tristan Thompson having his best performance of the series, registering a double-double in the first half alone. In the second half, Cleveland continued to extend their lead and tied the series.{{cite web|title=LeBron goes for 41 as Cavs drop Warriors, force Game 7 of Finals|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878159|website=ESPN.com|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} LeBron James led the Cavs with a historic performance of 41 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks while only committing 1 turnover. Kyrie Irving added 23 points, while Tristan Thompson had 16 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 30 points, drilling six threes, and Klay Thompson added 25 points. Back from suspension, Green was held to just eight points on 3–7 shooting.{{cite web|title=Cavaliers thrash Warriors to force winner-take-all Game 7 in NBA finals|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/16/nba-finals-game-6-cleveland-cavaliers-golden-state-warriors|work=Guardian|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Golden State Warriors: NBA finals, Game 6 – as it happened!|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/16/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-6-live|work=Guardian|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}}

James scored 18 straight points for Cleveland from the end of the third quarter to the 7:00 mark of the fourth. Late in the game with the Cavaliers up by 13, he blocked a Curry shot from behind, and afterward had some words for him.{{cite news |last=Araton |first=Harvey |title=With Swat of Stephen Curry, LeBron James Jolted a Debate |date=June 18, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/sports/basketball/lebron-james-stephen-curry-block-nba-finals.html?ref=sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622181002/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/sports/basketball/lebron-james-stephen-curry-block-nba-finals.html?ref=sports&_r=0 |archive-date=June 22, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=March 1, 2017 }} With 4:22 left, Curry received his sixth foul and fouled out of the game. He then threw his mouthpiece into the stands in frustration, resulting in a technical foul and his ejection from the game.{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Tim|title=Curry gets ejected late in Warriors' Game 6 loss|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/17/nba-finals-warriors-curry-ejected.ap/index.html|website=NBA.com|access-date=June 17, 2016}} Curry was the first MVP to foul out of an NBA Finals game since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000.{{cite web|last=Poole|first=Monte|title=Curry flips out in Game 6 of finals, takes first NBA ejection|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/curry-flips-out-game-6-finals-takes-first-nba-ejection|website=csnbayarea.com|access-date=June 17, 2016}} The Cavaliers became the third team to fall behind 3–1 and force Game 7 (and the first in 50 years). James was the first player to have consecutive 40-point games in the Finals since, coincidentally, Shaquille O'Neal in the 2000 Finals. Following the game, Curry and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr were fined $25,000 each for their actions and public officiating criticism.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2646833-stephen-curry-steve-kerr-fined-for-game-6-incidents-in-nba-finals|title=Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr Fined for Game 6 Incidents in NBA Finals|first=Mike |last=Chiari|website=bleacherreport.com}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 19 |time=8:00 PM |place=Oracle Arena, Oakland, California |TV=ABC

|team1=Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=93

|team2=Golden State Warriors |score2=89

|report=[https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201606190GSW.html Boxscore]

|Q1=23–22 |Q2=19–27 |Q3=33–27 |Q4=18–13

|points1=LeBron James 27 |points2=Draymond Green 32

|rebounds1=Kevin Love 14 |rebounds2=Draymond Green 15

|assist1=LeBron James 11 |assist2=Draymond Green 9

|attendance=19,596

|referee=*No. 43 Dan Crawford

• No. 24 Mike Callahan
• No. 13 Monty McCutchen

|series=Cleveland wins NBA Finals, 4–3

}}

{{external media|video1={{YouTube|EoVTttvKfRs|Full game broadcast by ESPN on ABC}}}}

This season's Finals marked the first time in NBA history in which both teams entered Game 7 with the same total points scored through six games (610 points each). The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 93–89 in Game 7 to win the series 4–3. Game 7 was close, with 20 lead changes and 11 ties. This was the only game in the series to have a final margin of fewer than 10 points. At halftime, the Warriors were ahead 49–42. In the second half, the Cavaliers outscored the Warriors 51–40 as the Warriors failed to score a basket during the last 4:39 of the game. In the closing minutes of the 4th quarter, LeBron James delivered what became known as The Block on a layup attempt by Andre Iguodala with the score tied at 89 and 1:50 remaining in the game. It is considered to be one of James's greatest clutch moments,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soXYntMDQec|title=Top Clutch Moments from LeBron James' Playoff Career|date=5 May 2018 |publisher=NBA|access-date=January 5, 2019}} and his performance across the series—the only time in which a single player has led both teams in points, assists, steals, and blocks—is considered to be one of the best in NBA Finals history.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-7-061916|title=LeBron James is the Cleveland Cavaliers|work=FOX Sports|access-date=January 5, 2019}}{{cite news|author=Greenberg, Chris|date=June 20, 2016|title=LeBron James gave Cleveland an iconic sports moment it wants to remember: 'The Block'|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2016/06/20/lebron-james-block|work=Boston.com|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC|access-date=July 3, 2016|quote=Cleveland, no matter how hard it may have tried, couldn’t forget 'The Drive' or 'The Fumble' or 'The Shot.' But now, thanks to LeBron James, it has a sports moment requiring the definite article that it will want to remember forever: The Block.}} This is cited both as a key sequence in deciding the outcome of the game, and as one of the most clutch defensive plays in NBA history.{{cite news|last=McMenamin|first=Dave|title=When LeBron swooped in and changed the course of Cavs' history|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/16544563/nba-finals-2016-oral-history-lebron-chasedown-block|publisher=ESPN|date=June 27, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} After the game ended, James remarked to ESPN, "Iguodala is a bad motherfucker! I had to go chase it down."{{cite news |author1=Dave McMenamin |author2=Brian Windhorst |title=Champion Cavs drink it all in after lifting Cleveland's title drought |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/16362353/nba-finals-2016-lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-bask-nba-title-glory |accessdate=2021-08-18 |work=ESPN |date=2016-06-21}} James later recalled to Cleveland.com, "I was just like do not give up on the play. If you got an opportunity, just try to make this play. I was also thinking like, 'J.R., please don't foul him. I know I'm right there, I can get it, I can get it.' I was like, 'J.R., don't foul him, and Bron, get the ball before it hit the backboard.' And we did that."{{cite news|last=Vardon|first=Joe|title=LeBron James and the next part of the greatest American sports story ever told|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/06/lebron_james_and_the_next_part.html|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}}

Mike Breen, who called the Finals for ESPN on ABC, added: "It's just another example of how he's just not going to let them lose. That was the thought as well after he blocked the shot: This guy is just not going to let this team lose tonight."{{efn|It was the Cavs' 110th game since the start of training camp, adding up preseason, regular-season and postseason contests, and James was playing in the 45th minute of the 47 he would log in Game 7 when he made The Block.|group=upper-alpha}}

Breen described the play thus:

{{cquote|Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!}}

The play was referenced by Nicki Minaj in the song Do You Mind by DJ Khaled, which she was featured in later that summer. Minaj raps, "Any baller tryna score, check them shot clocks/But I hit 'em with them 'Bron Iguodala blocks."

Andre Iguodala later gave his own perspective on the play, stating: "I'm like, 'dunk on his head.'" He then expressed how he knew Smith would have stolen the ball had he attempted the dunk. "Man, just put the ball up. Don't do nothin' stupid. And it was one of the loudest sounds I ever heard, BOOM! (referring to James' block)."

Kyrie Irving made a go-ahead 3-point field goal over Stephen Curry to give Cleveland a 92–89 lead with 53.0 remaining in the game.{{Cn|date=March 2025}} Before Kyrie Irving's 3-point field goal, both teams were tied at 699 points scored apiece in this series.{{Cn|date=February 2024}} Immediately after Irving's 3-pointer, Golden State brought the ball up-court, opting not to call a timeout, and although Golden State got a preferred switch and matchup of Curry on Kevin Love, Love made arguably "the biggest defensive stop of the entire NBA season", and forced Curry into a contested 3-pointer, which he missed.{{Cite web|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/06/kevin-love-defensive-stop-stephen-curry-nba-finals|title=Kevin Love came up with the biggest defensive stop of the entire NBA season|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=March 1, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/10/20/kevin-love-cleveland-cavaliers-stephen-curry-nba-season-preview|title=The Biggest Stop Of Kevin Love's Life? It Wasn't This One|date=October 20, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017}} After LeBron James hurt his right wrist on a dunk attempt in which he was fouled by Draymond Green, he virtually clinched the title for the Cavaliers by making one of two free throws, putting them 4 points ahead with only 10.6 seconds left in the game. The Cavaliers fouled Draymond Green with 6.5 seconds remaining. Stephen Curry received the ensuing inbounds pass, pump faked and shot a three-pointer over Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert. The attempt missed, and was rebounded by Marreese Speights of the Warriors who then missed a three-point attempt as time expired.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878160 |title=Cavaliers vs. Warriors - Game Recap - June 19, 2016 - ESPN |website=ESPN.com |access-date=July 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627180622/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878160 |archive-date=June 27, 2016 }} Draymond Green put up his best performance of the Finals, leading all scorers with 32 points, including 6 of 8 from three-point range to go along with 15 rebounds and 9 assists. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson added 17 and 14 points, respectively. LeBron James led all Cavaliers with 27 points and became only the third player ever in NBA history to record a triple double in an NBA Finals Game 7 by adding 11 assists and 11 rebounds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thepostgame.com/greatest-game-7-performances-nba-finals-history|title=13 Greatest Game 7 Performances In NBA Finals History|date=June 17, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=July 30, 2016}} Kyrie Irving added 26 points for Cleveland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/20/cleveland-cavaliers-win-nba-title-golden-state-warriors-game-7-nba-finals|title=LeBron James leads Cleveland Cavaliers to NBA title and ends 52-year drought|last=Schilling|first=Dave|date=June 20, 2016|website=the Guardian|access-date=July 30, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/19/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-7-live-score|title=Cleveland Cavaliers beat Golden State Warriors: NBA finals Game 7 – as it happened|last=Gallo|first=D. J.|date=June 20, 2016|website=the Guardian|access-date=July 30, 2016}}

The Cavaliers became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 series deficit to win the NBA Finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878160 |title=Cavaliers become first team to rally from 3–1 series deficit in NBA Finals |website=ESPN.com |access-date=June 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627180622/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400878160 |archive-date=June 27, 2016 }}{{cite news|last=Withers|first=Tom|title=The End: Cleveland rocks as title drought ends in Finals|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/19/cleveland-ends-drought.ap/index.html|agency=Associated Press|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=June 19, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2016}} They became the first NBA Champion to clinch all their playoff series on the road since the 1999 San Antonio Spurs, as well as the first road team to win a Finals Game 7 since the 1978 Washington Bullets. The Cavaliers won their first championship in franchise history, ending a 52-year pro sports championship drought for the city of Cleveland (whose previous victory was when the 1964 Cleveland Browns defeated the Baltimore Colts in the NFL Championship game),{{cite news|last=McCauley|first=Janie|title=James and Cavaliers win thrilling NBA Finals Game 7, 93-89|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20160619/CLEGSW/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpt11a|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} as well as 26-year drought for the State of Ohio (whose previous championship was when the 1990 Cincinnati Reds defeated the Oakland Athletics in the World Series). LeBron James was named the unanimous Finals MVP, becoming only the fifth player in NBA history to earn the award three times or more.{{cite news|title=LeBron James wins NBA Finals MVP for 3rd time|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/19/lebron-james-finals-mvp.ap/index.html|agency=Associated Press|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=June 19, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621054930/http://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/19/lebron-james-finals-mvp.ap/index.html|archive-date=June 21, 2016}}{{cite web|title=LeBron James named unanimous Finals MVP after Cavs' Game 7 win|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2016/story/_/id/16351029/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-named-unanimous-nba-finals-mvp|website=ESPN.com|access-date=June 19, 2016}} He also was the overall leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks during the series, a feat that had never been accomplished in an NBA playoff series.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-finals-game-7-061916 |title=This unbelievable stat illustrates just how great LeBron James was in the Finals |first=Nunzio |last=Ingrassia |work=Fox Sports |date=June 19, 2016 |access-date=June 27, 2016}} Tyronn Lue became the 14th coach to win an NBA championship as a head coach and player.{{cite web|last=Vogel|first=Brandon|title=Hot Reads: Tryonn|url=http://hailvarsity.com/news/hot-reads-tyronn-lue-championship-material/2016/06/|publisher=Hail Varsity|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621131340/http://hailvarsity.com/news/hot-reads-tyronn-lue-championship-material/2016/06/|archive-date=June 21, 2016}}

This also marked the first time an NBA Finals went to a Game 7 under the 2–2–1–1–1 format since it was reinstated in 2014.

This is the most watched Game 7 in NBA history.

On July 13, Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals received the 2016 ESPY award for Best Game.

• {{YouTube|id=-zd62MxKXp8|title=LeBron James' Historic Block on Andre Iguodala From All Angles}}, NBA, June 21, 2016
• [http://deadspin.com/lebrons-block-still-doesnt-seem-possible-1782300645 Article] from Deadspin.com
• [http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2016/06/lebron_james_performance_in_the_2016_nba_finals_transformed_the_king_into.html Article] from Slate.com
• [http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/08/nba-finals-iguodalas-moment-of-redemption-against-lebron/] from mercurynews.com
• {{YouTube |id=-kExlzEaOCYU |title= Sports Science: The LeBron James Chase Down Block}}

{{NBA roster header|team=Cleveland Cavaliers|season=2015–16}}

{{player2 | num = 8 | first = Matthew | last = Dellavedova | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 198 | college = Saint Mary's | DOB = 1990–09–08 }}

{{player2 | num = 9 | first = Channing | last = Frye | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 255 | college = Arizona | DOB = 1983–05–17 }}

{{player2 | num = 2 | first = Kyrie | last = Irving | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 193 | college = Duke | DOB = 1992–03–23 }}

{{player2 | num = 23 | first = LeBron | last = James | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9.5 | lbs = 250 | school = St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (OH) | DOB = 1984–12–30 }}

{{player2 | num = 24 | first = Richard | last = Jefferson | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 233 | college = Arizona | DOB = 1980–06–21 }}

{{player2 | num = 30 | first = Dahntay | last = Jones | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 225 | college = Duke | DOB = 1980–12–27 }}

{{player2 | num = 1 | first = James | last = Jones | dab = basketball, born 1980 | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 218 | college = Miami (Florida) | DOB = 1980–10–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 14 | first = Sasha | last = Kaun | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 260 | college = Kansas | DOB = 1985–05–08 }}

{{player2 | num = 0 | first = Kevin | last = Love | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 8| lbs = 251 | college = UCLA | DOB = 1988–09–07}}

{{player2 | num = 12 | first = Jordan | last = McRae | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 179 | college = Tennessee | DOB = 1991–03–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 20 | first = Timofey | last = Mozgov |pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 1 | lbs = 275 | from = Russia | DOB = 1986–07–16 }}

{{player2 | num = 4 | first = Iman | last = Shumpert | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 220 | college = Georgia Tech | DOB = 1990–06–26 }}

{{player2 | num = 5 | first = J. R. | last = Smith | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 225 | school = St. Benedict's Prep (NJ) | DOB = 1985–09–09 }}

{{player2 | num = 13 | first = Tristan | last = Thompson | pos = C/F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 238 | college = Texas | DOB = 1991–03–13 }}

{{player2 | num = 52 | first = Mo | last = Williams | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 198 | college = Alabama | DOB = 1982–12–19 }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

• Tyronn Lue

| asst_coach =

• Jim Boylan
• Bret Brielmaier
• Larry Drew
• Damon Jones
• Mike Longabardi
• James Posey
• Phil Handy (player development)
• Vitaly Potapenko (player development)

| otherlegend = (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate

| roster_url = http://www.nba.com/cavs/roster/

| transaction_url = http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Cleveland-Cavaliers/5/Transaction_History

| accessdate = April 13, 2016

}}

{{NBA roster header|team=Golden State Warriors|season=2015–16}}

{{player2 | num = 19 | first = Leandro | last = Barbosa | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 194 | from = Brazil | DOB = 1982–11–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 40 | first = Harrison | last = Barnes | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 225 | college = North Carolina | DOB = 1992–05–30 }}

{{player2 | num = 12 | first = Andrew | last = Bogut | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 260 | college = Utah | DOB = 1984–11–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 21 | first = Ian | last = Clark | dab = basketball | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 175 | college = Belmont | DOB = 1991–03–07 }}

{{player2 | num = 30 | first = Stephen | last = Curry | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 190 | college = Davidson | DOB = 1988–03–14 }}

{{player2 | num = 31 | first = Festus | last = Ezeli | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 265 | college = Vanderbilt | DOB = 1989–10–21 }}

{{player2 | num = 23 | first = Draymond | last = Green | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 230 | college = Michigan State | DOB = 1990–03–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 9 | first = Andre | last = Iguodala | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 215 | college = Arizona | DOB = 1984–01–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 34 | first = Shaun | last = Livingston | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 192 | school = Peoria Central HS (IL) | DOB = 1985–09–11 }}

{{player2 | num = 36 | first = Kevon | last = Looney | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 220 | college = UCLA | DOB = 1996–02–06 }}

{{player2 | num = 20 | first = James Michael | last = McAdoo | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 240 | college = North Carolina | DOB = 1993–01–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 4 | first = Brandon | last = Rush | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 220 | college = Kansas | DOB = 1985–07–07 }}

{{player2 | num = 5 | first = Marreese | last = Speights | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 255 | college = Florida | DOB = 1987–08–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 11 | first = Klay | last = Thompson | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 215 | college = Washington State | DOB = 1990–02–08 }}

{{player2 | num = 18 | first = Anderson | last = Varejão | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 273 | from = Brazil | DOB = 1982–09–28 }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

• Steve Kerr

| asst_coach =

• Ron Adams
• Jarron Collins
• Luke Walton
• Bruce Fraser (player development)

| otherlegend = (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate

| roster_url = http://www.nba.com/warriors/roster/

| transaction_url = http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Golden-State-Warriors/9/Transaction_History

| accessdate = June 14, 2016

}}

{{NBA roster statistics legend}}

;Cleveland Cavaliers

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Cleveland Cavaliers}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Matthew|Dellavedova}} || 6 || 0 || 7.6 || .263 || .167 || .833 || 0.5 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Channing|Frye}} || 4 || 0 || 8.3 || .000 || .000 || 1.000 || 0.8 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Kyrie|Irving}} || 7 || 7 || 39.0 || .468 || .405 || .939 || 3.9 || 3.9 || 2.1 || 0.7 || 27.1

|-! style="background:#FDE910;"

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|LeBron|James}} || 7 || 7 || 41.7 || .494 || .371 || .721 || 11.3 || 8.9 || 2.6 || 2.3 || 29.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Richard|Jefferson}} || 7 || 2 || 24.0 || .516 || .167 || .636 || 5.3 || 0.4 || 1.3 || 0.1 || 5.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Dahntay|Jones}} || 6 || 0 || 3.0 || .500 || .000 || .800 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 1.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|James|Jones|dab=basketball, born 1980}} || 5 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .250 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Kevin|Love}} || 6 || 5 || 26.3 || .362 || .263 || .706 || 6.8 || 1.3 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 8.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Jordan|McRae}} || 1 || 0 || 3.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 4.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Timofey|Mozgov}} || 5 || 0 || 5.0 || .333 || .000 || .750 || 1.6 || 0.0 || 0.6 || 0.2 || 1.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Iman|Shumpert}} || 7 || 0 || 18.3 || .304 || .267 || 1.000 || 1.6 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 3.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|J. R.|Smith}} || 7 || 7 || 37.3 || .400 || .356 || .667 || 2.7 || 1.6 || 1.4 || 0.3 || 10.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Tristan|Thompson}} || 7 || 7 || 32.3 || .636 || .000 || .533 || 10.1 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 0.9 || 10.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Mo|Williams}} || 6 || 0 || 4.8 || .333 || .200 || .000 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 1.5

{{s-end}}

;Golden State Warriors

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Golden State Warriors}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Leandro|Barbosa}} || 6 || 0 || 13.1 || .643 || .500 || .727 || 1.0 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 8.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Harrison|Barnes}} || 7 || 7 || 31.7 || .352 || .310 || .600 || 4.4 || 1.4 || 0.7 || 0.4 || 9.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Andrew|Bogut}} || 5 || 5 || 12.0 || .471 || .000 || .000 || 3.0 || 0.6 || 0.4 || 2.0 || 3.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Ian|Clark|dab=basketball}} || 4 || 0 || 4.8 || .625 || .600 || .000 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 3.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Stephen|Curry}} || 7 || 7 || 35.1 || .403 || .400 || .929 || 4.9 || 3.7 || 0.9 || 0.7 || 22.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Festus|Ezeli}} || 7 || 1 || 8.6 || .300 || .000 || .500 || 1.9 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 2.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Draymond|Green}} || 6 || 6 || 40.0 || .486 || .406 || .783 || 10.3 || 6.3 || 1.7 || 1.0 || 16.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Andre|Iguodala}} || 7 || 2 || 34.1 || .466 || .304 || .333 || 6.3 || 4.1 || 0.9 || 0.7 || 9.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Shaun|Livingston}} || 7 || 0 || 21.1 || .511 || .000 || .857 || 3.4 || 2.9 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 8.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|James Michael|McAdoo}} || 3 || 0 || 6.1 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Brandon|Rush}} || 1 || 0 || 5.5 || .000 || .000 || .500 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 0.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Marreese|Speights}} || 7 || 0 || 4.7 || .222 || .400 || 1.000 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 2.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Klay|Thompson}} || 7 || 7 || 35.3 || .427 || .350 || .786 || 3.0 || 1.9 || 1.0 || 0.6 || 19.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Anderson|Varejão}} || 6 || 0 || 6.9 || .000 || .000 || .500 || 1.3 || 1.0 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 1.2

{{s-end}}

In the United States, the NBA Finals aired on ABC (and for the second consecutive year on local affiliates WEWS-TV in Cleveland and KGO-TV in San Francisco/Oakland) with Mike Breen as play-by-play commentator, and Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy serving as color commentators. TNT's Craig Sager made an appearance for Game 6 as a sideline reporter, his first appearance at the NBA Finals, and his last game before he died later that year in December. ESPN Radio aired it as well and had Kevin Calabro and Hubie Brown as commentators. ESPN Deportes provided exclusive Spanish-language coverage of The Finals, with a commentary team of Álvaro Martín and Carlos Morales.{{cite web|last=Carafdo|first=Ben|title=2016 NBA Finals Tip Off June 2 Exclusively on ABC: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers|date=May 31, 2016|url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2016/05/2016-nba-finals-tip-off-june-2-exclusively-abc-golden-state-warriors-vs-cleveland-cavaliers/|access-date=June 1, 2016}}

The Cavaliers and Warriors also met in the following two NBA Finals, the first time in any of North America's four major professional sports leagues that the same two teams met for the championship four years in a row.{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|author-link=Marc Stein (reporter)|title=Warriors Dispatch Rockets, Setting Up Fourth Finals Against Cavs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/sports/golden-state-warriors-finals.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 28, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2018}} The Warriors, who added Kevin Durant in the 2016 offseason, defeated the Cavaliers in five games in {{nbafy|2017}} and a four-game sweep in {{nbafy|2018}}. Durant was named the Finals' MVP in both series.

The Warriors made it to a fifth consecutive Finals in {{nbafy|2019}}, which they would lose to the Toronto Raptors in six games. Three years later, they made it to their sixth Finals in eight seasons and defeated the Boston Celtics in six games.

James left the Cavaliers in the 2018 offseason to join the Los Angeles Lakers. He would lead the Lakers to a title in {{nbafy|2020}} and win Finals MVP that year.

Following James' departure the Cavaliers would not make the playoffs again until 2023 which was also their first playoff appearance without him since 1998.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=Cavs complete long climb back to NBA playoffs without LeBron |url=https://apnews.com/article/cavaliers-lebron-james-986587c2e218f898c988db5cd585a261 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=AP News |language=en}}

{{Portal|Sports}}

• Death Lineup
• Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry

{{notelist-ua}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2016/finals/index.html Official website]
• [https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2016-nba-finals-cavaliers-vs-warriors.html 2016 NBA Finals] at Basketball-Reference.com
• {{cite web |title=Final 3:39 of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals |work=NBA.com |date=December 24, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgVOgGLtPtc | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/wgVOgGLtPtc| archive-date=November 17, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube }}{{cbignore}}

{{NBA Finals}}

{{Cleveland Cavaliers 2015–16 NBA champions}}

{{Cleveland Cavaliers}}

{{Golden State Warriors}}

{{2015–16 NBA season by team}}

{{NBA on ABC}}

{{NBA on ESPN Radio}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2016 NBA Finals}}

Finals

Category:NBA Finals

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