The Warriors appear to no longer be messing around

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

THEY’RE BAAACK: The Warriors finished off an epic series with an epic victory over an epic opponent on Monday, beating the Thunder 96-88 in Game 7 to take the West. The Warriors become the first team in a long time to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the conference finals. Kudos to the Thunder for staying in striking range all night long. The Warriors never had it easy, not once in this series. Of course, that’s little consolation for OKC, who thought they had the series in hand just a week ago ...

Steph Curry had 36 points and the dagger to end all daggers. He even one-upped rival Russell Westbrook on wild layups to end the first half. Afterward, Steve Kerr pointed out that Curry looks like he’s 12. Thanks, Steve.

Liam Boylan-Pett writes that Steph wore Westbrook down in this series, then blew past him.

Zito Madu writes that Andre Iguodala delivers when the Warriors need him most. I enjoyed J.A. Adande on Klay Thompson and the lack of a sibling rivalry in Golden State.

THE NBA FINALS starring Steph, LeBron, Draymond, Kyrie, Klay and K-Love begin on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Here’s the full schedule. This should be excellent. (Please be excellent.)

AND 1: There was one final Steven Adams-Draymond Green incident in Game 7, in which both were assessed fouls after Adams got his arm up high on a rebound battle and Green pulled Adams down with a quasi arm bar. The NBA said they’ll review it to see whether Green should be assessed a flagrant in retrospect. I don’t see that happening. One more flagrant and Green misses a game.

NO SHAME IN THIS: I wrote before Game 7 that regardless of the result, Kevin Durant and the Thunder should feel pride on having gotten this far. There’s no trophy for second place, but acknowledgment of success and clear-eyed analysis of what the future could hold is important. Along those lines, I enjoyed Royce Young on the growth of the team this season.

AWESOME: The Thunder helped their equipment manager propose to his girlfriend.

CAN YOU BLAME HIM? Pau Gasol might skip the Olympics because of Zika.

THE CURSE OF CULTURE: Nice read by Daman Rangoola on the rigidity of Dr. Buss’ vision and how the Lakers must adapt to again thrive.

Happy Tuesday. See you next time.