Basket, NBA: The Golden State Warriors shook off their bumps and bruises and advanced to their first NBA Finals in 40 years after defeating the Houston Rockets 104-90 to clinch their Western Conference Finals series on Wednesday. Stephen Curry scored 26 points one game after a terrifying fall while Klay Thompson added 20 despite a laceration to his right ear for the top-seeded Warriors. Golden State, who won 67 games during the regular season with rookie coach Steve Kerr, won the best-of-seven series 4-1. The Warriors will meet the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals that starts next week.

Rugby Union: Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper will make his long-awaited return from injury this weekend after being named in the Queensland Reds team for tomorrow’s Super Rugby clash against Western Force in Perth. Cooper, who is pondering a lucrative offer from French club Toulon for next season, has played just two matches for the Reds this year after fracturing his collar bone in pre-season. “Quade was given the all clear 10 days ago but we wanted to keep working on his strength and bulk just to ensure we didn’t compromise his return,” said Reds coach Richard Graham.

Golf: World no.1 Rory McIlroy faces missing the cut for a second week in succession after posting a nine-over-par 80 in the opening round at his home event, the Irish Open, yesterday. McIlroy failed to record a single birdie in a nightmare round at the par 71 Royal County Down course. He missed the cut at the last two Irish Open tournaments. His score left him in last position among other players out early after a round that saw him struggle with both his iron play and the putter.