After a wildly entertaining NBA season, we have finally arrived at the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors hope to capture their fourth championship since 2015, while the Boston Celtics look to secure their first title since 2008.
This Celtics squad is new to the Finals, as no one on the Boston roster has played in a championship round entering Game 1 on Thursday night (9 ET on ABC). According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Golden State’s 123 games of Finals experience to Boston’s zero games is the largest gap since the Chicago Bulls (134) vs. the Utah Jazz (0) in 1997.
Read More: Why Celtics-Warriors could be an epic series
Given that this is the Finals, one can expect a rocking Chase Center for the series opener. There’s also the possibility of celebrities showing up courtside to take in the action and exceptional pregame fits from the players. Plus, fan reactions and maybe even some social media trolling could arise throughout the contest.
Here’s a look at some of the best sights and sounds from Game 1 in San Francisco:
Spike’s in the house
Famed director Spike Lee can usually be spotted courtside at New York Knicks games, but tonight he’s at the Chase Center for Game 1.
It’s always a vibe when @Spike_Lee_Joint is in the house 🏠 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/pUUOxQu5tt
— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2022
Eye-catching outfits
Before the game tipped off, the fashion choices by a few players certainly turned some heads. Take Jayson Tatum for example, as he rocked a multi-patterned suit jacket on the pregame runway. His teammate Jaylen Brown donned a leather coat with some graphic jeans.
Dressed to impress 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dens4ReoON
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
Food and drinks
The Warriors went all-out for refreshments at the Chase Center for Game 1. Fans could get chicken waffle cones, souvenir cups for beer or other drinks, Moet & Chandon champagne, black sturgeon caviar and a stone-fruit old fashioned cocktail. There were oyster bars and popcorn bars in some boxes.
Setting the scene
Both squads chose to roll with gold in the series opener.
Boston used the color in complementary fashion by adding a Finals emblem on its jerseys. Meanwhile, Golden State stayed true to its “Gold Blooded” postseason theme with T-shirts.
adding a hint of gold pic.twitter.com/wnWq5iCqPX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 2, 2022
Finals ready pic.twitter.com/J5om811Cnx
— Chase Center (@ChaseCenter) June 2, 2022