Warriors Gaming Squad became the first team to win back-to-back tournaments, and the first team in NBA 2K League history to win two tournaments in the same year after beating Pacers Gaming 59-49 during Saturday’s elongated THE TICKET, powered by AT&T, final.

If not for technical difficulties to begin the fourth quarter, Warriors Gaming Squad might have run away with the game even before the final few minutes, as the team from Golden State somewhat miraculously shut down Pacers Gaming power forward Ramo for three quarters, effectively putting him on a cold ring for the entire third quarter.

Considering Ramo had put together 43 points and 29 points, respectively, in his previous two TICKET games, holding the potent power forward to just eight points through three quarters was an accomplishment in itself. But it wasn’t just Ramo who struggled to find buckets, as not a single member from Pacers Gaming posted double-digit points through three quarters. Lord Beezus, the Pacers Gaming center, ultimately was the most impactful player out on the court, as time and again the big man would fetch an offensive rebound or corral a defensive rebound that seemed destined to give Warriors Gaming Squad new life.

To be fair to the other side, Bsmoove was the only member from Warriors Gaming Squad to have 10 or more points through three quarters, as stifling defense from both sides really was the calling card of this game. Bsmoove would finish the contest with a game-high 17 points, but most of that occurred in the fourth quarter.

Following the reset, Ramo predictably managed to get into rhythm, erasing what had been a two-possession deficit with just under two minutes remaining. However Bsmoove would answer back with perhaps the most pivotal basket of the entire tournament (and he did get a game-winning basket two contests prior), connecting on a three from near the top of the key following an offensive rebound from Jin to put the Warriors back up by six points with 1:30 left. Jin, who’d also sneak into the double digits by the end of the contest, followed that possession with a three of his own, effectively spelling doom for Pacers Gaming and their hopes at claiming the first playoff berth of 2019.

In the Warriors previous three tournament wins, Golden State claimed victory by a total of 10 points, so Saturday’s finale will likely be considered by some as their easiest win of THE TICKET. That couldn’t be farther from the truth, however, as WGS was forced to scrap and claw for the majority of their buckets, particularly in the first half when the game was still tied. In the end, Warriors Gaming Squad becomes the first team to clinch a playoff berth, and arguably has cemented their status as one of the premiere teams in all of the NBA 2K League.