Facing a Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs team for a third straight game, the Warriors coasted to a 129-115 win Monday night in San Antonio to complete their four-game sweep of the Western Conference finals.

Without Leonard, a top-three candidate for the NBA’S MVP award this season, the Spurs had virtually no chance against the defending West champions. Since Leonard went down with an ankle injury the third quarter of Game 1, when the Spurs were leading 78-55, Golden State outscored San Antonio 443-356 the rest of the series. Game 2, 3 and 4 were never really close, and Spurs fans are left wondering "what if?"

The Spurs did close the gap to 11 with in third quarter, but the Warriors put their foot back on the gas and widened the lead as the second half progressed.

While the usual suspects led the way for Golden State, Manu Ginobili was solid in what may have been his last game for the Spurs, with 15 points, seven assists and three steals.

The quick work by the Warriors gives them plenty of time to rest up for the NBA Finals, where they’ll meet, in all likelihood, Cleveland for the third straight year.  

With the Finals set to tip Thursday, June 1, fatigue probably won’t be a factor for the Cavs, either. The earliest the East Finals can end is in Game 5 at Boston on Thursday, with a potential Game 6 in Cleveland on Saturday.  Should the East series go the distance – something not a lot of people are envisioning – Game 7 would be next Monday.

However long it takes the Cavs to take care of their business, a Golden State-Cleveland NBA Finals is the best basketball fans could hope for. As lopsided as some of the playoffs have been, this marquee matchup should make it all worth it.

Studs of the night

It’s tough to separate the Game 4 performances of Golden State’s two primary stars – Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry – so we’ll hand out dual Stud honors this night. Curry finished with 36 points, shooting 5 of 13 from 3-point range, with six assists and five rebounds. Durant shot 10 of 13 for 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Dud of the night

With Leonard sidelined, the Spurs needed someone else to step up – and that someone almost had to be LaMarcus Aldridge.  Didn’t happen, as his weak Game 4 showing exemplifies that. Aldridge shot 4 for 11 for just points (he never even got to the free throw line) and registered just seven boards.

Highlight

Two of Curry’s 36 came on this first-quarter fast break, when he exploited Jonathan Simmons and was met with little resistance by Aldridge but had to finish with an underhanded layup as he fell to the floor.

What’s next

Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 4. All eyes will be on LeBron James after his disappearing act in Game 3. This series had the feeling of being over after the Cavaliers blew out the Celtics twice in a row in Boston and the Celtics lost Isaiah Thomas for the remainder of the playoffs. But the Celts erased a 21-point deficit on the road Sunday night to close the series gap to 2-1, and if they can steal another one in Cleveland on Tuesday, the NBA Finals will be in their sights.