Warriors keep NBA Finals hopes alive

The Golden State Warriors kept their hopes of progressing to the NBA Finals alive courtesy of a 120-111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game five on Thursday.

NBA MVP Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led the Warriors with a combined 58 points, while Andrew Bogut chipped in with a double-double performance.

The nine-point win at the Oracle Arena means the Warriors now trail the best-of-seven series 3-2, needing wins in game six and seven to continue their championship defence.

The Warriors came out of the blocks quickly, taking a four-point lead at quarter-time before doubling that advantage by the half-time break.

Oklahoma City fought back in the third quarter and briefly took the lead, but it was the Warriors who held their nerve to seal the vital victory.

Curry led the Warriors with 31 points and was helped by Thompson’s 27.

Bogut was equally as impressive, finishing with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Draymond Green (11 points, 13 rebounds) had a double-double of his own.

Kevin Durant had a game-high 40 points for the Thunder while Russell Westbrook contributed 31, but they could not avoid defeat against the defending champions.

Game six takes place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma on Saturday.