Stephen Curry has won two NBA championships without Kevin Durant: 2015 and 2022. These titles mark the beginning and the most recent peak of the franchise’s dynastic run. They demonstrate the core group’s ability to win at the highest level both before and after the addition of another superstar talent.
The 2015 Championship: The First Title
The 2015 championship represented the culmination of a long-term building process and the end of a 40-year title drought for the Golden State Warriors. The team was built around the homegrown talent of Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, a trio that formed the foundation of the franchise’s success. Curry was coming off his first Most Valuable Player award.
The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Finals, showcasing the team’s innovative style of play. Head coach Steve Kerr made a significant adjustment in Game 4, inserting Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup to play a smaller, faster style of basketball. This strategic shift, known as the “Death Lineup,” helped the Warriors win the final three games of the series. Iguodala was named the Finals MVP.
The 2022 Championship: The Return to the Top
The 2022 title marked a return for the original core players, following a period of injuries and two seasons without a playoff appearance. This championship proved the foundational players could win a title without a second superstar. The Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in six games in the Finals, showcasing a blend of veteran experience and emerging young talent.
Curry delivered a dominant performance throughout the series, averaging 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. His performance earned him his first career Finals MVP award, an accolade that had previously eluded him. The victory was meaningful as it followed the return of Klay Thompson, who had missed two full seasons due to severe knee and Achilles injuries.
The Durant Era: Framing the “Without KD” Wins
The “without KD” count excludes the three seasons Kevin Durant spent with the Golden State Warriors (2016 to 2019). During his tenure, the Warriors reached the NBA Finals three consecutive times, winning two championships in 2017 and 2018.
Durant was an instrumental figure in those two title runs, earning the Finals MVP award in both 2017 and 2018. His arrival elevated the team from a championship contender to a historically dominant force. The 2022 victory gave the Curry-led core as many championships without Durant as they had won with him.